麻豆社区

J.S. Gallant recorded his best-ever score on nine holes of golf on the biggest stage in the country last week.

The Special Olympian scored a 51, a whopping 14 strokes under his handicap, in his second round at the University Golf Course in Vancouver, B.C.

The 21-year-old was the Yukon's sole competitor at the second annual Special Olympics National Golf Tournament, which saw 40 golfers compete, including 32 men.

Golfers played the par-36 golf course three times over the course of the tournament, which ran from Oct. 3 to 5.

Gallant shot a 70, 51, and 61 over the three days.

"I am very proud of my accomplishments,鈥� Gallant said in a statement on Special Olympic Yukon's Facebook page. "Day three was fairly hard because I was sore and tired.鈥�

Janine Peters attended the tournament as the Chef de Mission, while Charlene Donald served as Gallant's coach.

Peters said Gallant finished sixth out of eight in his category after his personal-best score on day two saw him move up a division from M4 to M3.

Gallant entered the tournament with a handicap of 65.

Final results were not the focus at this tournament, Peters said, as the tournament was used more as a test event in preparation for next year's national games.

The tournament served as a preliminary event for the 2014 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, which will take place July 7 to 14.

Golfers will compete for the first time at the national games on the same course they competed on this week.

"It gave all the golfers a chance to see the course a year ahead of the event,鈥� Peters explained. "That worked out in our favour, all around. It gave J.S. a chance to see the course, which was a total bonus.鈥�

Last fall, both Gallant and fellow Yukoner Tijana McCarthy scored bronze medals for their performances at the inaugural Special Olympics golf tournament in Hamilton, Ont.

There, Gallant shot a 66 and 65 to finish third in his category, while McCarthy also finished third in her division.

At the Special Olympics B.C. Summer Games in Langley, B.C. in July, Gallant earned his previous personal best, recording a 54 and a 59.

Prior to that, his goal had been to break 60.

Off the course, Gallant got the chance to attend his first live CFL game 鈥� a matchup between the B.C. Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

While his Lions lost the game 31-17, Peters said it was a great experience for him.

The Yukon contingent attended the game with a Special Olympics group from Saskatchewan, with both groups decked out in team paraphernalia.

"There was a lot of good kibitzing going back and forth,鈥� Peters said. "It was just an awesome experience.鈥�

The Yukoners also had time to tour Stanley Park, including the aquarium.

"There was a little bit of a mini holiday along with the hard work,鈥� Peters said. "He earned it.鈥�