Sep 28, 2016 3 min read

The golf carts prowled throughout the immaculate course, carrying some very special people.

At various moments, they emerged from the carts, sized up their golf shots and took their best swings. Some found the mark; others needed more attention. When it was all over, a celebration of the day took place with all gathered in the dining room at Lone Pine Country Club in South Franklin Township.

The third and final golf event of the season for Washington County Special Olympics could be labeled a success, and the smiles on the faces of the participants confirmed it.

“I got a par,” said B.J. Dukett, whose father Bill is a former athletic director and football and golf coach at Washington & Jefferson College.

“That was fun,” said Jaclyn Smith, whose two putts covered the remaining 12 feet to get the ball in the cup on the green.

Ethel Chehovin’s 42-year-old son, Timothy, has participated in golfing for nearly a decade.

“He likes bocce ball, too, but I think he likes golf a little better,” Chehovin said. “He likes the one-to-one with his (volunteer). It’s Mike Songer, and he has a personality that fits Tim. He has the bug now. At church, he was telling everybody he was going to golf.”

Club pro J.R. Pond donated the country club for Monday’s event. Nemacolin Country Club in Beallsville and Cedarbrook Golf Course near Belle Vernon also opened their courses for this Special Olympics event.

“There was an opportunity where they were looking for a venue and the owners felt strongly about giving something back,” Pond said. “Having the opportunity to support Special Olympics and give them an opportunity to play golf was a pretty cool opportunity for us. We want this to be a long-term relationship, as long as we can accommodate them.”

Interestingly, this event was held Monday, a day after the death of golfing legend Arnold Palmer. The Latrobe native not only was one of the sport’s greatest golfers but also is credited for growing the sport around the world.

“We have golfers from the Washington area and Mon Valley area,” said Lynn Workmaster, who coordinates the sports competitions for Washington County Special Olympics. “Golf has been a program for 30 years. This is the second year we’ve had it at (Lone Pine Country Club). The main object from this is just the joy of golf. When they come up to receive their medal, it’s fun to watch.”

Each Special Olympian plays nine holes. A volunteer drives the cart and participates in the alternate shot event. Golfers are grouped by previous scores and their partner’s handicap. There also are skills competitions, including putting and driving. Workmaster said this event drew 23 Special Olympics athletes.

Workmaster’s 24-year-old son, Justin, participates in a number of other sports in Special Olympics, including bowling, basketball and floor hockey. His brother, Nick, was Justin’s volunteer.

“He’s been golfing since he was 6,” Workmaster said. “It’s his favorite. He loves it. He is usually in the 50s.”

Workmaster hopes to expand the program with the help of Pond.

“We want to make it even more fun for them,” said Workmaster. “J.R. wants to help with our golf outing. So that would be a big step.”