19 hours ago
Golfers challenged to hit 1,000 balls to support Special Olympics program in Thunder Bay, Ont.
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How many golf balls could you hit in a single day?
Nancy Rissanen is challenging golfers in Thunder Bay, Ont., to head to the links on Sept. 13, with the goal of hitting 1,000 golf balls to support athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Those involved with the inaugural event, organized by Golf Ontario and Special Olympics Thunder Bay, are hoping to raise $20,000 for the local Special Olympics golf program.
"Our program has exploded. It's really fun," organizer Nancy Rissanen said. "[It] gets everybody outside [to] hang out with their friends, meet new people."
The program, which has attracted nearly 40 golfers, consists of a recreational level — which focuses on teaching people the fundamentals — and a competitive level.
"It's the best part of my week. I coach a few sports but the couple hours each week with the athletes is amazing," said Nancy Rissanen.
Special Olympics athlete Tyler Rissanen is getting ready for the 2025 Special Olympics North America Golf Championship in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania next week.
"I golf sometimes three or four times a week, depending on how busy I am," he said. "I've golfed in a couple charity tournaments. I've golfed in a couple tournaments in southern Ontario."
Special Olympics Thunder Bay runs 18 different sports programs in the community. One of the biggest barriers athletes face is travel costs.
"Because we live in the north, we have to travel to compete to do anything," Nancy Rissanen said.
"All our programs are run through donations and through fundraising, so this is going to be one of our biggest fundraising events for this year and hopefully we'll raise money just to keep our athletes able to travel and compete against other people."
More than $5,400 has been raised locally through the 1,000 Ball Challenge campaign so far. People can sign up as an individual or as a team, "so if there's 10 people, each one hits 100 [golf balls]," Nancy Rissanen said.
The event begins at 10 a.m. and is being held at the Northern Lights Golf Complex driving range. More information can be found at the 1,000 Ball Challenge website.
