Archives > Flower Mound Leader > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Local golfers to compete in Special Olympics tournament
By Chris Roark, croark@starlocalnews.com
Three local Special Olympics athletes are about to take their golf skills to the national stage.
Flower Mound’s Jonathan Blackmon and Michael Gallagher and Highland Village’s Tim Braun, all members of the Lewisville ISD Special Olympics program, have been invited to participate in the Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament, which takes place Sept. 6-9 at the Wigwam Resort in Glendale, Ariz.
The local trio is part of Team Texas, which consists of 18 golfers across the state. This is the first time LISD’s team has been a part of the Texas delegation.
It also provides a test of their skill and gives them an opportunity to apply the rules of golf and standards of etiquette in a competitive forum.
Bill Gallagher, LISD’s coach and Michael Gallagher’s father, said these tournaments are about confidence.
“If they go and compete, regardless of how they perform, they come away with confidence and a shared experience,” Bill Gallagher said. “My son went to the national games in basketball, and that’s still a high point for him. He always talks about it.”
The tournament will feature various formats. Jonathan Blackmon, 32, will compete in a team format in which he and his neighbor, John McCulley, will alternate shots for 18 holes.
“Jonathan will go visit John all the time, and they’ll talk about sports,” said Cheryl Blackmon, Jonathan’s mother. “We knew John was into golf, so we asked if he would like to partner with Jonathan. He was excited to go, and Jonathan is thrilled, too.”
Jonathan Blackmon has been playing golf for 12 years, including about seven with McCulley. He said the best performance he and McCulley have had came in a state tournament in 2008 at Texas A&M when they finished with a 92.
“He teaches me to be slow, big and fast with my swing,” Jonathan Blackmon said. “But sometimes I go too fast.”
Michael Gallagher and Tim Braun will each compete in all 18 holes, though they will have caddies. Bill Gallagher, will be Michael Gallagher’s caddy, while Dave Braun will serve as Tim Braun’s caddy.
Michael Gallagher, 30, has competed in area- and state-level tournaments, as well as competitions across the country. He said he often gets golfing advice from his father and said putting is his strength.
“But sometimes I putt the ball too far and end up losing it,” said Michael Gallagher, who has been playing for three years.
Tim Braun, however, may be the seasoned pro. Playing since he was 13. Now 38, Tim Braun finds himself playing on golf courses all over the country whenever his family takes trips.
His resume’ includes a hole-in-one on a par 3 course off a drive of 177 yards. He competes in regional and state games every year, usually earning a medal each time. And he competed in the national games in 2006 and the world games in 2007.
“My strength is hitting the ball straight,” Tim Braun said.
His mother, Debbie Braun, said Tim Braun typically shoots in the high 80s or low 90s.
She said participating in the national tournament is a good experience for him and the other golfers.
“It’s an honor for him to be able to interact with players from other parts of the country,” she said. “When he went to the world tournament, he got to meet players from all over the world. It’s good to see that he can get out and do things that he enjoys and that he’s successful at it.”
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
