Special Olympics day at St Bridget's P&P

The grounds of St Bridget's Pitch and Putt Club this week held host to a Special Olympics Interclub event featuring the teams of KARE Kilcullen (Leinster region) and Templeogue House Enterprises (Eastern Region), writes Michael O’Donnell of Special Olympics Leinster.

Both teams turned up proudly sporting their club colours, and eager to hit the immaculately presented course.

Events such as this allow the athletes to hone their skills on a course and against competition not encountered before. The added twist of competing against their neighbouring region clearly added to the fire within the athletes with many achieving season best scores and excelling on this tricky course.

The pairings were split, as with all Special Olympics events, on ability and pulled up some tight matches that went down to the wire on more than one occasion. The levels of athletes at the event meant that there were pairings which took on 9 holes and others that attempted all 18. The athlete’s efforts accumulated at the devilish final hole that included a rather treacherous water hazard.

The competition concluded back in the clubhouse, a treasure trove of memorabilia which overlooks the magnificently maintained course. Here each athlete retired for some well-deserved refreshments while the volunteers signed off on the official scorecards. After the officiating each athlete received a certificate of recognition for their efforts and posed proudly for the cameras.

It was fantastic to be on hand to see such a successful event take place. Both clubs should be commended on the work they are doing for such a worthy cause. The organisation, cooperation and work of the volunteers involved lays testament to the Olympic spirit which helps make these events possible.

We very much look forward to visiting Kilcullen again in the near future; the stakes have been set high!