Indian Hills Country Club hosts Unified Partner Golf Tournament for Special Olympics

On Thursday afternoon at Indian Hills Country Club in Bowling Green, there wasn’t a golfer without a smile across their face around the course.

Special Olympics, in partnership with Bowling Green Parks and Rec’s Special Populations division, hosted its second annual Unified Partner Golf Tournament.

The tournament is the final part of a six-week golf skills program hosted at Indian Hills CC and taught by golf pro John Mullendore.

"It’s been fun getting to know these men and women," Mullendore said. "Getting to touch their lives through various ways through golf, also just fellowship. It’s a lot of fun."

Throughout the six-week program, the athletes learn golf basics like putting, chipping, irons play, and driving, as well as a little golf etiquette and trivia.

The tournament gives the athletes a chance to showcase their newly learned skills, partnering up with a club member or another golfer without a disability for the nine hole alternate shot tournament.

Everyone involved with the program, and the tournament, says they have a blast, and hope to see the tournament reach greater heights in the future.

"One of our biggest goals is to take this community and help them see the abilities in all individuals," said BG Parks and Rec Special Populations Instructor Cameron Levis. "This is just another opportunity for us to reach another sector of the community and help these people that are here at the club see the genuine joy that we get to experience on a daily basis. It’s pretty awesome to see.