MIAMI (WSVN) - Five hundred special education students took to the tees on Thursday to prepare for an upcoming Special Olympics golf event in Miami.
7News cameras captured the young golfers as they arrived at the Melreese Golf Club by the busload.
As they spent their day perfecting their swing, these Miami-Dade student athletes said the event, which takes place May 1-3, is more than just another game of golf.
First Tee Miami and their volunteer coaches also helped the kids sharpen their skills.
“It takes roughly 50-plus volunteers from the community and from our staff to pull this off,” said said John Moscoso, program director of First Tee Miami.
“We do different sections, so then they learn the different steps,” said a volunteer coach, “and then on competition days, it’s pretty much the same thing.”
Moscoso gave the student athletes a pep talk. “We’re gonna have a lot of fun today,” he said.
“I love my coaches very, very much, so I enjoy it,” said Elizabeth Vincent.
“You can see it in their faces. This builds their self-esteem, and they actually enjoy coming out and being involved,” said a volunteer coach, “so it’s a very great program for them.”
“My dream is to become Tiger Woods getting a hole in one,” said Alex, who will be taking part in the event.
Alex isn’t the only one with big goals.
“The hole in one,” said Vincent.
“What we try to do is create a safe environment for them to experience something that they may not otherwise be able to experience,” said Moscoso. “That’s really what it means. To give them a chance just like you and I would want to have a chance at it.”
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