Local golfer heads to Ottawa for All Abilities Golf Tournament early August
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
By: Kathleen Smith
Dixon Schoemaker started golfing with his father around the age of three, and now at 20 years old, he’s heading to the All Abilities Golf Tournament in Ottawa.
Invited to participate from August 4 until August 7, the tournament runs each year through Golf Canada. This year, Dixon will compete at the annual tournament for the first time.
Born with cerebral palsy, Dixon didn’t allow that to hinder his love for the sport and is now an exceptional golfer. He has worked at Goderich Sunset Golf Club for the past five years, improving his skills on the links.
“It came very naturally to me at a young age,” admitted Dixon.
“I started with plastics clubs and have just kept going.”
Dixon says when it comes to what drew him in to the sport, it was the competition of tournaments, the camaraderie of playing with friends and going to different towns and courses that kept his interest.
Ryan Laurendeau, Pro Shop Manager at Goderich Sunset Golf Club invited Dixon to participate in the tournament, qualifying for having a disability. Dixon has been working at Goderich Sunset Golf Club for six years.
Although this is Dixon’s first time going to the tournament, he aims high, wanting to win, or at the very least, to do well and not come in last.
“I want to make sure that I make the golf club and the community proud,” he added.
“It’s important there is an opportunity for people like me to participate in events like this.”
Dixon is grateful for the generous sponsorship from Unifor, Dave McDonald Accounting and the generous members of the Goderich Sunset Golf Club and community.
The tournament is designed for people with limitations, whether physical or psychological. The Canadian All Abilities Championship is a new but significant addition to Golf Canada’s portfolio. It was introduced to promote inclusivity and showcase the talents of golfers with disabilities.
First launched in 2019, this tournament was an important step toward making golf more accessible and giving athletes with disabilities a platform to compete at a high level.
The event is open to golfers with a range of physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities.
Dixon also participates in the Special Olympics every week in Stratford, thanks to John Hoy who set that up.
For more information on the tournament visit: https://tinyurl.com/24cdfs2y
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