WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)—Crestview Country Club will host Special Olympics North America next week in Wichita.
Patrick Ensign from Wichita has played golf for more than a decade, and is one of 15 athletes from the Air Capital Flyers, a non-profit organization that helps athletes through competitive sports.
For Ensign, there’s one thing that brings him happiness.
“Being out here playing on this golf course,” said Ensign.
Thirty-six athletes from Kansas will be competing in the 2024 Special Olympics North America golf championship.
The mission is to provide athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Officials say it’s more than just playing golf.
“Golf, in particular, is a sport that takes a lot of practice, a lot of dedication, physical and mental preparation,” said Craig Pippert, senior manager of sports development, Special Olympics North America.
Training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding on the fairway.
“So you have a chance to interact and create friendships and have a discussion,” said Pippert.
Although Ensign wants to win, he knows he’ll have fun on the fairway no matter what.
“I make friends, I like it. It’s fun. If someone wants to do it, you know they’d be more than happy to out there in the community or somewhere they can, you know, do it,” said Ensign.