Friday, June 25, 1999

2 golfers to compete in Special Olympics World Games

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BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        FLORENCE — Ask golfers Chris Revay and Joshua Smith to name their favorite pro, and you'll get the same answer — Tiger Woods.

        The two Northern Kentucky Special Olympians also give an identical answer when asked who between them is better on the links.

        “I am,” they each responded.

        As Mr. Revay, 23, and Mr. Smith, 17, head to North Carolina today to compete in the Special Olympics World Games, confidence doesn't appear to be a problem.

        “They've been practicing hard, they've been out on the course a couple of times a week and they're ready to go,” said coach Mark Staggs of Florence, director of Special Olympics in Northern Kentucky.

        Mr. Revay and Mr. Smith will be among 7,000 Special Olympians, and the only two from Northern Kentucky, competing next week at Duke University.

        Each was chosen by Special Olympics officials in Kentucky because of their dedication and prowess, Mr. Staggs said.

        “These kids came out here and showed that they would put in the hours and the practice to become better golfers and represent the state in the Olympics,” said Mr. Staggs, who is accompanying the golfers to North Carolina.

        “It's all they've been talking about,” said Susan Smith, who is Joshua's mother and Mr. Revay's legal guardian.

        Mr. Revay usually scores in the mid to high 80s, though he recently shot a 68. He works at the Gap warehouse and distribution center in Erlanger.

        Mr. Smith will be a junior at Boone County High School. He usually shoots in the 90s.

        Both said they are looking forward to competing with golfers from all over the country and several other countries.

        “It's going to be a lot of fun. I want meet a lot of other people from all the other places,” Mr. Revay said. “It's a chance to meet some new friends.”

        Mr. Staggs, whose son was a Special Olympian, coached a soccer team that went to the Special Olympics World Games four years ago.

        “It's just an incredible, moving experience, and it's great for the kids,” said Mr. Staggs. “It's just like the Olympics. They'll have an opening ceremony in a football stadium, they'll spend time with all the other athletes and they'll play 18 holes of golf every day.”

        Almost everything the two golfers need has been or will be taken care of, Mr. Staggs said.

        • World of Sports in Florence and the Kenton County Golf Course have allowed them to play free practice rounds to prepare for the Olympics.

        • Callaway Golf Clubs donated clubs.

        • Mike Cahill, pro at The Golf Ranch in Burlington, has given the golfers free lessons.

        • The Ladies Auxiliary at the American Legion Post #203 in Latonia donated $2,500 to help pay the golfers' expenses.

        • Shoe and apparel companies gave the athletes golf shoes and clothes.

        • UPS is using one of its cargo planes that has been converted for passenger service to fly the 50-member Kentucky Special Olympics team from Louisville to North Carolina.

       

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