IMMEDIATE RELEASE



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IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 20, 2010

RECORD-HOLDER SCOTT ROHRER EXTENDS LEAD

IN GOLF AT DAY TWO OF 2010 USA NATIONAL GAMES

LINCOLN, Neb. – Special Olympics golfer Scott Rohrer, 21, of York, S.C., who posted a record-breaking opening-round 71 on Monday, extended his lead with a 3-over-par 75 Tuesday in the Special Olympics USA National Games at the Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb.

Rohrer’s rollercoaster second round included four birdies on the fifth, eighth, ninth and 12th holes, which offset three double bogeys and a bogey to record a 36-hole total of 146 and an 11-stroke margin heading into Wednesday’s final round. Tyler Lagasse, 23 of Tyngsboro, Mass., is Rohrer’s closest pursuer after a 79-78—157.

Rohrer, who has been playing golf since age 7, learned the game from his father, Jeff Rohrer, who also has been his longstanding partner in team events for Special Olympics golf.

“I’ve had a lot of gold medals with my dad in Unified team play,” said Rohrer. “But, if I am able to win tomorrow I don’t know what I’ll do. I’ll probably call everyone I know.” Rohrer’s opening round 71, a personal best performance coming in his first 18-hole individual stroke play event, was two strokes better than the 2009 mark by Joel Murray of West Monroe, La.

In other golf competition at the USA National Games, Chase Turri, 22, of Alamogordo, N.M., extended his first-round lead in Level IV 9-Hole Individual Stroke Play division with a 44, and was at 87. That was good for a six-stroke lead over Wesley Williams, 38, of Mystic, Conn., who turned in 50-43—93.

“I hit a 280-yard drive right to the middle of the fairway with my Nike club that Special Olympics gave me,” said Turri. “It means a lot to me to be selected for Special Olympics here this week and represent New Mexico.”

(Top line results below; full results at and )

A field of 179 golfers representing 39 states is competing at the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games. Golf is one of 13 competitive sports at the USA National Games, which has attracted nearly 3,000 Special Olympics athletes from across the United States in the largest multi-sport event in the history of Nebraska, and one of this year’s largest multi-sport events in the United States.

Special Olympics golf, part of the worldwide Special Olympics sports movement for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, offers five levels of competition for athletes of all abilities. Level I is an individual skills contest, where six golf skills are tested. Level II is an alternate shot team play, where a Special Olympics athlete is paired with a non-Special Olympics partner of more advanced skill for a 9-hole competition. Level III is Unified Sports team play, pairing Special Olympics and Unified partners of similar ability for an 18-hole competition. Levels IV and V are individual stroke-play 9-hole and 18-hole competitions, respectively. Competition for Levels I, III & V is taking place at Highlands Golf Course, while Level II & IV competitors are playing at Mahoney Golf Course. Awards ceremonies for the golf competition will follow Wednesday’s final round.

(Top line results below; full results at and )

Topline Results:

Level 5 --18-Hole Individual Stroke Play

Scott Rohrer, York, S.C., Age 21 – 71*-75--146

Tyler Lagasse, Tyngsboro, Mass., Age 23 – 79-78--157

Grace Anne Braxton, Fredericksburg, Va., Age 38 – 82-80--162

Level 4 --9-Hole Individual Stroke Play

Chase Turri, Alamogordo, N.M., Age 22 – 43-44--87

Wesley Williams, Mystic, Conn., Age 38 – 50-43--93

Buddy Randall, Wylie, Texas, Age 32 – 48-49--97

Level 3 -- 18-Hole Unified Sports Team Play

Josh Parks, Benton, La., Age 17 (partner Billy Parks) – 96-97--193

Clint Blalock, Lebanon, Tenn. Age 19 (partner Eddy Blalock) – 98-99--197

John Jr Muisenga, Midland, Mich., Age 22 (partner John Muisenga) – 98-97--195

Level 2 -- 9-Hole Alternate Shot Team Play

Christopher Lussier, Cranston, R.I., Age 18 (partner Alan Lussier) – 42-43--85

Andrew Martinez, Kansas City, Mo., Age 26 (partner Michael Martinez) – 43-45--88

Michael Ciociolo, Holden, Mass., Age 24 (partner Jim Ciociolo) – 46-46--92

Level 1 -- Individual Skills Competition

William Guy, Greene, R.I., Age 26 – 69-66--135

Jada Goodson, Virginia Beach, Va., Age 15 – 68-75--143

Kari Larson, Eden Prairie, Minn., Age 27 – 63-59--122

Christopher McPherson, Hilton Head Island, S.C., Age 13 – 59-63--122

*Special Olympics 18-Hole World Record Round

Previous Golf Special Events:

PGA of America Proclamation:

PGA of America Honorary President Brian Whitcomb of Bend, Ore., presented a formal PGA of America proclamation of support to Special Olympics North America Tuesday on the Fan Fest stage of Special Olympics Town.

“The PGA of America first approached Special Olympics in 1988 to offer golf as an official Special Olympics sport,” said Whitcomb. “Since then, many of our 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals have been proud to champion the growth of Special Olympics golf in their communities across the United States and today, some 18,000 Special Olympics athletes enjoy playing golf with their friends, family members and fellow athletes. It is my honor to offer The PGA of America’s continued support of Special Olympics golf with an official PGA of America Proclamation.”

PGA Play Golf America Experience

The PGA of America and the Nebraska PGA Section were hosts Tuesday to the Play Golf America Experience – a complimentary clinic for all Special Olympics athletes and spectators featuring PGA Professional expert instruction at the Special Olympics Sports Experience within Special Olympics Town at the Pershing Auditorium in Lincoln. Hundreds of athletes, family members, volunteers and Games spectators received free instruction and golf tips from Nebraska PGA Professionals. Nebraska Section PGA Professionals are also volunteering throughout competitive rounds as rules officials and tournament operators.

Having supported the growth of and development of Special Olympics Golf since it began in 1988, The PGA of America and USGA are providing assistance at the USA National Games with rules, tournament administration and course setup, in addition to financial contributions.

Media Contacts:

Jennifer Brooks, Special Olympics, 202-824-0237, jdbrooks@

Sarah Van Dalsem, USA National Games, 402-889-3412, vandalsem@

Sherry Major, The PGA of America, 305-318-5208 or sherrymajor@

The PGA of America, 100 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418

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