Golfer swings for gold at Special Olympics
Tess Trojan plays baseball, basketball, power lifts and even takes hip-hop lessons, but it’s golf that holds a meaningful place in her life.
“Golf helps me build confidence and show respect for the game and my competitors,” she said. “It’s also a very social sport and teaches sportsmanship and how to bounce back quickly after disappointing shots.
“I think life would be pretty boring without golf.”
Trojan, a golfer from St. Catharines with Down syndrome, is ratcheting up her game to compete in the Special Olympics National Summer Games in Antigonish, N.S., at the end of the month.
The 29-year-old won gold at the 2014 National Summer Games and at the 2015 World Games.
Winning on the field of play is a satisfying accomplishment for any athlete; however, Special Olympics have added another layer to Trojan’s life.
“As parents, it’s been amazing to witness the transformative power of sport. Special Olympics has opened a lot of doors for Tess,” said her father, Mike. “She has always enjoyed all kinds of sports and has developed a lot of discipline when it comes to training and practice, right down to the daily record-keeping related to diet, nutrition and exercise.”
At worlds, Trojan learned to dig deep in order to find her best game. She said Special Olympics has allowed her to travel and meet a lot of new friends.
Despite all of her experience, competing at nationals has her nervous, so she’s trying to use that nervous energy in a positive way.
Working closely with her coaches, Trojan is also committed to fitness and works out tirelessly at her CrossFit gym.
“I like to be fit, I like to exercise and make fitness and nutrition part of my everyday life,” she said. “I just want to be a good all-round athlete and a better golfer, so I can beat my dad.”
Spending all of that time with coaches and working in the gym has paid off.
She’s currently hitting the ball further and has sharpened her wedge game.
“Don't let Tess's happy, positive, friendly personality fool you, she is a very tough, gritty competitor who has no problem staying focused for the entire round, even when she's not at her best,” said her Special Olympics coach, Glenn Cundari.
“What's also interesting is that while she is trying really hard to beat another player, she is also genuinely supportive of that same person.
“She really wants the best for them.”
Trojan also gave a shoutout to coach Carrie Vaughan, who helped develop her swing mechanically and to figure out a strategy around the course.
She credited Brody Whetham at Niagara Golf Academy for strengthening her swing and to look at her game with an analytical eye.
“Competing in Special Olympics has given her a real sense of accomplishment, a sense of inclusion and acceptance even beyond Special Olympics, and personal growth, not just in sport but in all aspects of life,” said Mike Trojan.
“Her involvement has created opportunities for our whole family to travel, meet a lot interesting and talented people and be part of her sporting challenges and successes.”
“Also, being from St. Catharines makes Tess’s involvement at the National Games extra special,” added Mike. “One of the pioneers of the international Special Olympics movement, Dr. Frank Hayden, who, along with Eunice Shriver, organized the first World Games event at Soldier Field in Chicago in 1968, also grew up in St. Catharines.”