Matthew Rivera chips off a practice green at Tekoa Country Club. Rivera and three others just completed a major feat, placing in their first-ever major competition for the sport. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – The Westfield-area Special Olympics golf team have hit a collective hole-in-one.
After five years of grueling practices, learning to putt alongside area golf professionals, four local golfers between the ages of 16-32 made the cut. Matthew Rivera, Brendon Lynch, Chad DeClemente, and Jessie Harris – all in their first year of competition – each placed in their respective divisions at the Special Olympics’ recent grand event.
In the skills competition, each Olympian was paired up with a peer mentor.
“The kids made improvement just from putting to chipping to playing a course with 18 holes,” said the team’s golf coach Ray Rivera. Rivera is also the area’s Special Olympics basketball coach.
“Ray is a tremendous force,” said Westfield-area Special Olympics program co-ordinator Diane Pirrow. “He’s always pushing, driving the athletes to do more, be better. He has a way of understanding what each athlete needs.”
“Ray doesn’t look for the top athlete,” Pirrow added. “He wants everyone to play to their ability.”
Each of the athletes in the program has been diagnosed with a cognitive ability, but that doesn’t slow them down one bit.
There are some 100-plus active Special Olympians in the Whip City alone, according to official data provided by the local chapter. About 40 local athletes actively participate in bowling, basketball, track and field, swimming, softball, golf, and soccer.
During each season, athletes take part in an assessment level with some moving on to compete in state tournaments held all throughout the state. The local Olympians compete as the Westfield Bombers.
“Our athletes are in this for the competition,” Pirrow said. “A lot of people think (Special Olympians) are just out there to have a good time. They’re there to win and compete to be the best.”
Westfield’s golfers have gotten a real treat the last several years working with Tekoa Country Club golf pro E.J. Altobello and assistant golf pro Mike McKenna at their course, all free of charge. Tekoa owner Dan Burack continues to donate a 90-minute time slot on Monday nights for lessons.
“We’ve worked with 30 kids who have different ability levels,” Altobello said of the sessions. “Some have really developed with more time or just developed physically. It’s fun to work with the kids, and see them hit good shots.”
According to Special Olympics representatives, other local businesses have opened their arms to the cause as well.
For instance, Westfield State University allows the use of its basketball court and indoor track; Expert Fitness has provided the use of three personal trainers to help these Olympians improve their flexibility, strength, and endurance; with others such as the Westfield YMCA and Golf Acres donating space, time, and instruction.
“There is not one business in Westfield that’s turned us down,” said Pirrow. “Tekoa Country Club has wonderful people that treat our athletes with respect and dignity.
Pirrow thanked all of the major sponsors as well as Canal Lanes in Southampton, who has donated lanes for bowling.
