Local golfers Chrissie and Alan Finch played well at the Special Olympics Summer Games held in Devon last month, but failed to qualify for Team Alberta at the national games to be held next summer in Vancouver.
Chrissie, who competed at her first competitive tournament, finished second in the first flight. Alan, who has been to national tournaments previously, also finished second in second flight. Both had slightly higher scores in the tournament than they have when golfing at the Olds Highlands Golf Club, said Rick Astle, the golf coach for Olds Special Olympics.
Neither golfer was able to play a practice round before the tournament began on a course they had never seen before, Astle explained.
Both Chrissie and Alan played nine holes on the first day to determine which flights they would play in and then finished the tournament with nine holes the next day.
“This was Chrissie's first attempt at competitive golf and she golfed within what I would say was her capability,” Astle said.
Alan, who participated in the national games last September in Ontario, didn't quite play up to his capability, Astle said.
“Alan didn't perform as well as he should have. I think he put too much pressure on himself.”
Astle said the experience proved valuable for future competitions, however.
“They acquitted themselves well and it will be excellent experience for them in the future,” he said.
