It was a very special four days for a trio of South Cariboo golf athletes who competed for Region 8 at the 2013 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Langley, July 11-14.
Years of training and practice paid off for golfer Brett Tassel, 26, with a silver medal in the men's 01 division. Tassel scored a 46 on day 1 and a 47 on day 2, playing nine holes each day at the Redwoods Golf Course.
Aaron Goodwill placed fourth in men's 04 and was just one stroke off a bronze medal and two away from silver.
Paul Jansen was sixth in the same division.
Denise Barker, Region 8 team manager and president of Special Olympics 100 Mile House says the local players worked very hard to prepare for the Games.
“All three of them were amazing. To take them out of their 100 Mile House bubble and put them in a group of over 1,000 athletes and all of the other stuff that was going on – I'm really proud of them.”
She adds each had a case of nerves before playing but carried on like troopers.
The Games featured more than 1,100 athletes from all over British Columbia and Yukon, competing in 11 sports, including five- and 10-pin bowling, basketball, bocce, golf, power lifting, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, and track and field.
CTV's Ann Luu was the master of ceremonies for the opening ceremony at the Langley Events Centre on July 11, and it ended with athletes singing and dancing to Elvis Presley tribute artist, Steve Elliot – also known at Elvis Elite. Elliot also performed at a closing dance held for the athletes and has performed in the South Cariboo a number of times during the past few years.