Stars align on golf course to help drive inclusion

The two champs at the private golf course located at 15 Gibbs Court Diddilibah, the home of GPAI & Special Olympics Australia’s affiliate golf program.

Nambour charity ‘Golf Programs Australia Incorporated (GPAI)’ was delighted to welcome Great Britain’s 2019 World Games Special Olympics Gold Medalist Andrew Stuart to its golf program last Tuesday.

Andrew impressed GPAI’s intellectually disabled golfers by sharing his story of competing in the Special Olympics World Games hosted at Abu Dhabi in 2019 where he won gold for golf in his division.

Amid the gasps of amazement, Andrew produced his prize and proudly showcased his rare  medal for all to touch and see.

Stuart’s visit was timely as GPAI’s Sebastian McCormick had recently returned from competing in the Special Olympics Australia National Games in Tasmania where he had secured the Bronze Medal in golf for his division.

When GPAI reached out to Sebastian’s dad Bryan informing him there was an opportunity to meet Great Britain’s World Games Gold Medalist in golf, arrangements were made to facilitate the get together which was just amazing for the medalists, families and Seb’s PGA Golf Coach Darrell Dalton.

“For these two young men to meet and showcase their respective Special Olympics medals in golf it was just too great an opportunity to pass up,” said Darrell. 

The Stuart family chose to stay at the Gibbs Farm location on their short vacation from Scotland as it had cabin accommodation and a private 9 hole golf course.

Sebastian will continue in his quest to reach his full potential in golf and perhaps one day in the future at another World Games the two Special Olympics golfers will reminisce about their fortuitous meeting on the Sunshine Coast in November 2022.

“Our mission to drive inclusion & break isolation through the low-impact activity of golf is embodied in Andrew & Sebastian’s story and it’s empowering to witness the courage, growth and resilience of these passionate athletes,” said GPAI President & PGA Professional Darrell Dalton. 

• Learn more about Golf Programs Australia Incorporated by visiting www.gpai.org.au or www.pitchin.golf.