PROVO, Utah (ABC4) – The week of the Utah Open started today at the Riverside Country Club with one of the most popular events – the Special Olympics Short Game Challenge.
This game pairs celebrities with distinguished Olympic athletes for a 9-hole chipping and putting competition.
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First Lady Abby Cox was there, along with local sportswriters and some television sports reporters.
It’s a lot of fun for everyone and a highlight of the week.
Devin Dehlin, executive director of the Utah Section PGA, which sponsors this event, says it’s never boring to see the smiles on kids’ faces as they make a putt.
“The course is the same every year but the smiles and all, everyone is having so much fun.” And watch it grow, we’ve supported Special Olympics for over 30 years and it’s fun to see how enthusiastic they are Athletes and all the celebrities are. It’s a big competition that’s a lot of fun.”
Shelley Mooney, one of Monday’s athletes, agrees.
“It is really fun. We see other athletes from other teams and other celebrities.”
Jay Drew, a sportswriter for the Deseret News, has been a competitor for 10 years.
“It’s just great,” he said. “It’s one of the highlights of the year just to see the joy that golf brings to these Special Olympians when they make a putt, or even when we make a putt, it’s just great fun.” I just love it.”
Utah Golf Radio’s Paul Pugmire agrees. “Even if they don’t make a putt, they still have a smile on their face because it’s golf. They roll the ball, they hit it with a bat and it’s just fun. It’s just a pleasure,” he said.
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