The Southwest Section PGA announced that it will be the title sponsor for the 2010 Special Olympics State Golf Championships from November 12-14, 2010. The three-day, 36-hole individual stroke play event will be contested for the seventh consecutive year at Vistal Golf Club, a par 71 championship course in Phoenix.

Approximately 300 Special Olympic golfers from nearly every community in Arizona will participate. Golfers range in age from eight to 80 and will compete in one of five levels of play, from level one skills to level five. A select number of athletes will qualify for the Special Olympics National Golf Championships, scheduled in 2011 at PGA Golf Club in Florida.

Opening ceremonies will begin at 4:30 p.m. on November 12 with dinner starting at 5:30 for athletes, coaches, chaperones, sponsors and invited guests. The competition begins on Saturday, November 13 and finishes on Sunday November 14.

Greg Leicht, PGA, director of golf/operations at Vistal Golf Club and Games Director, said more than 550 volunteers from around the state are expected to give their time to ensure the event is a success. Leicht is still looking for volunteers to participate.

The event, Nadine Armstrong,Director of Sports & Training for Special Olympics Arizona said, has prospered because of the commitment of Vistal Golf Club, the Southwest Section PGA and Greg Leicht.  “A key factor in the success of the event is directly attributed to the tremendous community support from so many groups and individuals coming together for one purpose,” she said.  “Greg makes it a point to ensure each athlete has an experience of a lifetime; from having a caddie carry their equipment to ensuring they receive caps and shirts as gifts. All the meals are first-class and the athletes have the opportunity to experience a real PGA managed golf tournament.”

Vistal Golf Club, a par 71 championship golf course is located just south of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. For directions visit the website: www.vistalgolfclub.com.

Sponsors, partners and miscellaneous information:
The title sponsor for the event for the last seven years is the Southwest Section PGA.  The SWSPGA is proud to partner with our many other contributing sponsors such as Antigua, ProEm, The Boeing Company, and Jersey Mike’s Subs. Jersey Mike’s Subs will sponsor a lunch for the competitors on November 13. The defending champion in Level 5 is Peter Roche from Lake Havasu. Roche had an 18-hole individual low score of 87 in 2009.