Tournament officials announced that the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational’s Special Olympics 3-Hole Challenge program will be returning to the 2023 tournament. Scheduled for Friday, July 21, this annual event will welcome twelve Special Olympics athletes from Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region. Athletes will compete in a three-hole, three-person scramble on holes 16, 17, and 18 at Midland Country Club. The Dow GLBI and the Special Olympics Michigan have teamed up for the Special Olympics 3-Hole Challenge since 2019.
“The Dow GLBI remains committed to furthering opportunities and introducing individuals of all skills and capabilities to the game of golf,” said Dow GLBI Tournament Director Wendy Traschen. "We are proud to work alongside the Special Olympics Michigan to host this program. It truly is a great event, and we invite all spectators to come cheer on the Special Olympics athletes this July.”
In addition to competition, athletes get a chance to take part in a variety of activities. At the 2022 Dow GLBI, TaylorMade partnered with the Dow GLBI to provide giveaways, branded Staff Bags and signage highlighting the three holes. TaylorMade also provided the athletes with dozens of golf balls and TaylorMade branded breakfast golf balls. Following competition, Special Olympics athletes got the chance to meet Dow Ambassador, Corey Pavin. Pavin offered tips to the players and spent time taking pictures with them. Athletes were then given the chance to sign hats and watch the third round of the Dow GLBI with their families in the Diamond Club hospitality area on 18th green. Additional enhancements for the 2023 Special Olympics 3-Hole Challenge will be announced at a later date.
"My favorite part of participating was how Dow and the LPGA made me feel like an important part of the whole tournament,” said Adam White, Special Olympics Michigan Athlete. “I felt included and was grateful for how Dow, the Dow GLBI and everyone there welcomed me that day."
Most recently, the Dow GLBI’s Special Olympics 3-Hole Challenge program was awarded with the LPGA’s Gold Driver Award for Picture Perfect Moment. This Gold Driver Award is given annually during the LPGA’s Tournament Partners End-of-Year Dinner at the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, FL. Gold Driver Awards are voted on by a panel of three independent judges representing the LPGA Tour.
“It was an honor to be recognized by the LPGA for the Special Olympics 3-Hole Challenge,” said Traschen. “We were excited to share this win with the Special Olympics Michigan and all of the athletes who have competed since 2019.”
The Dow GLBI’s Special Olympics 3-Hole Challenge is one of the many events that provide athletes a platform to compete and showcase skills at a professional level. Special Olympics Michigan provides year-round sports and health programs for nearly 24,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Athletes participate in several competitions throughout the year including 6 state-level competitions, 4 district basketball tournaments, and more than 700 local and regional competitions statewide. Details regarding the 2023 Special Olympics schedule will be available soon.
The 2023 Dow GLBI will take place July 17 - 22, at Midland Country Club.