MIDLAND, Texas — It was a beautiful day at Hogan Park Golf Course.
The 2024 Special Olympics ran from Thursday until Saturday and, all across Midland and Odessa, athletes were getting medals, awards and recognition on the final day of competition.
“Everybody's been smiles. The weather is flawless. For two days, it has been absolutely flawless," said Kimberly Davis, the Central Area director for Special Olympics Texas. "You couldn't get better weather for golf, even the volunteers who are not playing golf are like, 'I wish I was playing golf right now.'”
Hogan Park was the location for the final awards ceremony for the Special Olympics golfers. While many received medals for their efforts, that wasn't the end goal.
Special Olympics isn't just about placing on the podium. It was always about enjoying time out in the sun and bonding with family and new friends.
Of course, enjoying a sport like golf is pretty nice as well.
“Golf is my favorite sport, and I have good coaches, like my uncle is a good golf coach," said Joey Mikel, who competed in the golf competition. "He has always been nice to me every time.”
While the athletes were more than happy to accept their medals, standing on the podium represented an opportunity to show off good sportsmanship and bond over the sports they love to play.
“They can get awards or medals in any sport, but in golf I think it's a little more personal. They get their score card, and they're concerned about their score and, and golly, I wish I'd shoot today what I shot yesterday," said Dennis Wyatt, the volunteer director of golf. "It's just really good competition and really good sportsmanship.”
At the end of the day, that is what the Fall Classic is all about: community and fellowship.
“That's what Special Olympics is mainly for not only the athletes, but their families," Davis said. "Then it becomes a second family for all of the partners that participate the neurotypical individuals that participate with our athletes as a unified partner.”