Special Olympics NJ Clinic features learning, laughter and 'special' donation from Coca-Cola
By: Doug Milne
GALLOWAY, N.J. - Commonly referred to as the “solitary sport,” golf is unique in that its reach has no limits. There are also no restrictions from reaching the game of golf. Solitary in part, but inclusive to all.
On Wednesday afternoon of this week’s ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, the tournament’s title sponsor and Coca-Cola hosted a Special Olympics training session featuring LPGA players, Brooke Matthews and Caley McGinty.
“This is just amazing,” said Heather Andersen, President and CEO, Special Olympics New Jersey. “We have over 30 Special Olympics New Jersey athletes out here for this clinic. Some are regular golfers, while others may just me be here for the clinic to try the game.”
“We have been playing Special Olympics golf for over a decade now and were invited to come out here today,” said Ed Viebrock, father to Special Olympian, Kym. “We play together all the time. So, I know she’s really excited to be out here and a part of this today. It’s amazing that ShopRite and Coca-Cola have put this on and invited us to be here for it.”
Sponsoring the wildly popular clinic was far from ShopRite and Coca-Cola’s only reach.
“On behalf of the 80,000 teammates under our umbrella, we are so proud to be here and support and sponsor this event,” said Mike Stigers, President & CEO, ShopRite. “This is Special Olympics New Jersey weekend. If not for the unselfish work that Coca-Cola provides for us, we would not be able to have this event. It’s the heart and soul of those executives and company that made this happen.”
“We are so appreciative of everything Special Olympics does that we’re donating $25,000 to Special Olympics New Jersey,” said Michael Cassara, Vice President, Large Store (East) at The Coca-Cola Company.
“A lot of these participants in this clinic today will be talking about this for months,” said Christopher Hobbie, on site with Special Olympian family member, Michael Koval.
“Golf has been a huge part of my son’s life,” said Tom Coupe, whose 23-year-old son, Jacob is a part of Special Olympics New Jersey and at Wednesday’s clinic. “He is flabbergasted over this. He loves anything to do with any pro from any sport. Plus, golf is something he and I have always been able to do together.”
“I just love this,” said second-year LPGA player, Brooke Matthews, on site to provide instruction and tips. “Doing things like this really help give perspective to so much. It fuels the purpose of why I do play. Being able to do things like this and impacting people and their lives is a main reason I see playing on the LPGA as an opportunity. It’s really important to me, and I’m especially grateful to be able to be around people who are simply happy to be out here.”
“We’re very grateful for the LPGA and ShopRite Wakefern for this opportunity,” added Andersen. “It’s so important for us to get our message out to the community about how great our athletes are, what their skill level is and what they can accomplish through sport. Golf is the perfect example of that.”
Golf is indeed a solitary sport by virtue of how it’s played. Without question, though, it’s also the most inviting and unifying game going. It’s a level playing field that allows for terrific outcomes to any and all.
“This kind of thing here today is priceless,” Andersen said. “The families have been saying ‘thank you’ since arriving on site.”
Given the enthusiasm and encouragement individuals and families left Wednesday’s clinic with, that gratitude will exist for a long time.
