Tournament Moves to Lexington August 23

Nearly 100 athletes and more than 25 Unified partners are expected to take part when the State Golf Tournament moves to Lexington on Saturday, August 23. This year marks a return to Lexington’s Lakeside Golf Course, which last hosted the State Tournament in 2014, but has hosted Regional Tournaments each of the last two years. 

The event provides opportunities for golfers of all skill levels. Beginner golfers and golfers not yet ready for a full round will participate in the Skills Competition, which measures their ability to complete six different common golf shots, with points awarded for accuracy on all shots and for distance on wood and iron shots. Most of the State Tournament’s participants take part in the 9-hole Unified alternate shot competition. The format pairs a Special Olympics golfer with a partner who does not have a disability, and they take turns playing the ball from where their partner last hit it. Our most advanced golfers will compete in the 9-hole stroke play event, where Special Olympics golfers will play their own ball throughout.

All three competitions will begin at 4pm and awards will be presented after all competitions are completed.

Golfers qualified via three regional tournaments in July, one in Murray, one in Independence and one in Lexington.

For more information concerning the State Golf Tournament or the Special Olympics Kentucky golf program, contact Kathy Marshall at 502-695-8222 or via e-mail at kmarshall@soky.org.