Special Olympics Golfer Sets Record


In the first round of the Level V 18-hole individual stroke play event of the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games, Scott Rohrer fired a record score of 71. The 21-year-old from York, S.C., surpassed the former Special Olympics 18-hole tournament world record round score of 73 set last year by Joel Murray of West Monroe, La.

Rohrer's 71 on the Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb., is his personal best and achieved in just his first 18-hole individual stroke-play national event. PGA of America Honorary President Brian Whitcomb met with Rohrer at the leaderboard to congratulate him on his National Games feat.

"I had four birdies, a bunch of pars, a couple of bogeys, but overall not a bad day. Actually, it was just awesome and the best I've ever done," said Rohrer.

Rohrer has traditionally played in the national event with his father in the Level III 18-hole team play event, winning the gold medal in the Level III 2009 Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament. Scott's father, Jeff, was on site in Nebraska, but helping out as coach with the Level I Individual Skills competition.

"My wife was Scott's caddie so I knew he was playing great, I just didn't know how great," said Jeff. "He was on his game today that is for sure. I think that the course we play in South Carolina, River Hills Country Club, makes you hit your shot with accuracy or you are in real trouble . . . that is what helped him here today."

Another Special Olympics Level V competitor, Tyler Lagasse, age 23, of Tyngsboro, Mass., carded an eagle on the par-4, 360-yard 18th hole to finish the day in second of the Level V 18-hole individual stroke play event with a first day total of 79. "It was an uphill shot against the wind and I just didn't think I could get it on the green," said Lagasse. "It ended up two feet from the hole and I drained the putt."

A total of 179 golfers from 39 states competed at the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games in Lincoln, Neb Golf is one of 13 competitive sports at the USA National Games where nearly 3,000 Special Olympics athletes from across the United States are competing in the largest multi-sport event in the history of Nebraska and one of the largest multi-sport events in the United States during 2010.

For the full results of the golf event, which was played July 19-21, visit www.2010specialolympics.org or www.pgamediacenter.com.