Special Olympics

Good Luck to Mandy Demerse as she chases her golfing dreams. The article below is direct for The Nugget in North Bay, Ontario.

Special Olympics golfer swinging for berth at world championships

Dave Dale / The Nugget Saturday, May 5, 2018 1:02:08 EDT AM

There are a lot of rain-weary golfers in the North Bay area but none are looking forward to teeing up this season more than Mandy Demerse.

Demerse, 29, is a member of Team Ontario heading to the Special Olympics National Summer Games championships in Antigonish, N.S., in August. And if she can shoot as well as her potential, she’ll earn a berth on Team Canada for the World Games in Abu Dhabi in March 2019.

But it’s not a solo effort as she’s coached by Glenn Cundari, PGA of Canada’s technical director and local golf professional, with his wife, Michelle, her caddie.

“She’s always positive and helps me not be so hard on myself,” Demerse said about Michelle, who accompanied her to Seattle, WA, last year where she won gold at the North American championships. They also were together at the provincials in Caledon, where she finished with a silver medal to earn a spot on Team Ontario.

“It was so cool, just the atmosphere,” Demerse said of her trip to the Rocky Mountains. “I had never been in a competition like that.”

And Glenn Cundari, who heads up the North Bay Special Olympics Golf Program, has been named the Team Canada golf coach for the world event.

Cundari said Demerse has what it takes to be successful on the course.

“It’s her spirit. She loves golf and because she loves it, she has no problem putting in the extra practice and work on things like her nutritional behaviour,” Cundari said, adding that they’re working on the psychology aspect to get her ready for the pressure.

He also said Demerse’s recent foray into powerlifting under the guidance of local expert Larry Shepherd is helping building physical strength and stamina. Her first lifting competition is actually this Sunday at the annual Chris Thacker Memorial Special Olympics meet being held at Canadore College’s Commerce Court Campus.

“We’re also working on emotional control and social skills, all those things we’re all trying to get better at,” he said, noting she’ll have one more big event before the nationals to prepare in a competitive atmosphere.

Demerse gets to team up with her golf idol, Tess Trojan, for the North Bay Golf and Country Club’s Ladies Doubles Invitational June 23-24.

Demerse, who also plays defence for the North Stars Special Needs Hockey Club, noted that Trojan also plays hockey.

They’ll play in an integrated generic division as part of the competitive event.

Demerse said she hopes to improve on her showing in Seattle where one round got away from her.

“I’ll know more what to expect,” she said, referring to both the North Bay event and the nationals on the East Coast.

She’ll be working on employing “cap level golf” to keep focussed, explaining it means keeping your head up rather than hanging it down when something doesn’t go her way.

“Even if you do a bad shot, keep your focus and keep looking ahead (with your cap visor up and parallel to the ground while walking toward your ball),” Demerse said.

She has a lot of respect for Cundari’s coaching ability, saying he has a solid background and can be serious when needed to get her focussed.

Cundari said he got into Special Olympics coaching because PGA in Canada wanted to support the cause and that led to forming a program here in North Bay. And it has quickly become strong with six participants in 2016 tripling the next year and there’s 25 adults expected to take part this season.

North Bay, which has 124 Special Olympics athletes in 14 different sports, also has the only junior golf program in the country.

Cundari said he’s proud to say his whole family is involved, with son Nick and daughter Megan both assisting with the program that is generously hosted at Pinewood Park Golf Course.

Joining Demerse in Antigonish are eight other North Bay athletes, with various fundraising events taking place to help cover expenses such as training camps, transportation, accommodation, meals and uniforms.

Other athletes attending the games include Nick Fung, Mike Bailey and Clarista Ardiel (track and field), Chris O’Connor, Susan Lang and Jackelyn Osborne (bocce) Jon Touw and Sharon Kostyk (swimming).

The next fundraiser is June 2 with a Special Olympics mini-putt tournament being held at King Cone Cafe on Lakeshore Drive. For information on how community members can help, email: glenncundari@gmail.com

Easter Sunday is a time for reflection and is quickly coming to an end. For many, it is a time of reflection and happiness for the wonderful things in their lives. For others, it is a challenge to be grateful for the things in their lives. Yet there are some who need help and understanding as they struggle to achieve even the most minor of things; for those, there are special people who extend a helping hand and a leg up.

The PGA Tour of Canada and The United States support two of many important charities – True Patriot Love Foundation and Birdies for the Brave, respectively. These two particular charities are focused on supporting the brave military men and women who serve both at home and abroad. I am grateful to the PGA for their unwavering support to my brothers in arms!

The PGA also supports many other charities throughout the golfing year. Their motto “Together, anything’s possible” says it all. Virtually every tournament has an associated charity where the giving never seems to stop. Although the Tour receives most of the recognition, it is extremely important to recognize the thousands of volunteers who selflessly give their time and money to all the worthy causes. As a volunteer through the years, I am grateful to volunteers, who without, none of this would be possible!

Charity is not always on a grand scale and does not need to raise money. Sometimes time is far more important and a little help goes a long way to positively impact people’s lives. If we were to look around our neighbourhood, there are places to help. Whether it be at the local school, church, community centre or sports team – charity of time is extremely important.

Over the past couple years, my nephew-in-law has coached the local floor hockey team. This team has thrived under his leadership and all the players are devoted to him and the team. He continually provides them support, understanding and guidance which in turn is transferred into their daily lives. This particular situation is not uncommon, but what does make it unique is that the floor hockey team is part of the Sudbury Special Olympics. My nephew-in-law has explained how these players never cease to surprise him by their efforts and love for the game and each other. It is truly inspiring. Recently, a local business, KGHM International where my sister-in-law works, stepped up to buy uniforms; their local financial contribution has made a tremendous impact on the community and the local athletes. Recently, a hockey game between Special Olympics Sudbury, now named the KGHMI Miners, and the Cops to Conquer Cancer hockey team was a huge success and great fun was had by all! Their inspiring story shows how a few dedicated people can make a huge difference in the lives of many!

Being grateful for so many things does not stop at Easter. Whether large organizations, like the PGA, are focused on helping on a grand scale or whether a few volunteers make a tremendous difference in their local community, I for one am grateful for their efforts. Sometimes it does not take much to have a positive impact on someone’s life and Easter is a time for reflection and an opportunity to help.

I am a grateful golfer. See you on the links!