Special Olympics WA — 2025 State Qualifier Event — Unified Golf Competition

Who:

Special Olympics is a global movement that provides year-round sports programs for people with intellectual disabilities. We promote inclusion, celebrate everyone’s abilities, and create opportunities for athletes to have fun, build confidence, and make lifelong friends through sport.

Unified Golf is delivered in partnership with the Ready Steady Golf program, coordinated by Mark Tibbles.

What:

2025 State Qualifier Event, Golf Competition, Unified Golf

Competition Details:

Special Olympics local competitions are for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism, who wish to compete against other athletes in their chosen sport, and qualify for Special Olympics' state and national competitions. These competitions include:

A high-quality competition, with multiple divisions for beginner, intermediate and advanced players
Qualified umpires and game support officers
Award presentation, with prizes and certificates
Performance results and feedback
Unified events (where athletes with and without intellectual disabilities play together)

This competition is a qualifying event for Special Olympics WA State Games.

The Special Olympics WA State Games is a qualifying event for the Special Olympics Australia National Games. The SOA National Games are scheduled to take place in Melbourne in October 2026. To be eligible to qualify for National Games athletes must meet the following criteria:

Be registered as a 2025 Special Olympics member (prior to the State Games)
Be at least 15 years of age at the first day of the National Games Competition in October 2026
Be able to demonstrate that they have attended regular training and qualifying events prior to the State Games (either with Special Olympics, or through another program)

If an athlete does not meet the eligibility criteria for National Games, they can still compete at the SOWA 2025 State Games. It just means they won’t be eligible to be selected for National Games.

Who can get involved?

Athletes who are registered as 2025 Special Olympics members
Athletes who train/play with a Special Olympics Affiliate Program
Athletes who train/play at an existing golf club with a PGA Professional
Athletes who are in possession of an official golf link handicap with Golf Australia
Athletes who want to become eligible to compete in upcoming Special Olympics state and national competitions, including our upcoming 2025 State Games

Competition Format:

9-Hole Unified Sports Alternate Shot Team Play Competition for NEW Players
Where a team will consist of one athlete with an intellectual disability and one Unified partner without an intellectual disability. The event will be played as a foursome’s format (with athletes playing alternate shots with their partner). If you have a partner you would like to play with, please let us know at checkout who you wish to be paired with (your partner will also need to register online via this page). You can also register as a single player, and we will allocate partners as required.
9-Hole Individual Stroke Play Competition for ACCOMPLISHED Players (pathway to National Games)
Where Special Olympics athletes play individually in the competition.

You will be asked to select the relevant ticket type at checkout.

If you wish to compete in the 9-Hole Unified Sports Alternate Shot Team Play Competition for New Players:

Players with an intellectual disability should select Athlete ticket type
Players without an intellectual disability should select Unified Partner ticket type

If you wish to compete in the 9-Hole Individual Stroke Play Competition for Accomplished Players (9-Hole Individual Stroke Play Competition)

Players should select 9 Hole Individual Player ticket type

When:

Sunday 28 September
1:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Where:

The Vines Resort - Golf Course

Verdelho Dr, The Vines WA 6069

Competition Schedule:

This schedule is a draft only. The final schedule will be included in the information pack sent out to all athletes prior to the day once all athlete registrations have been received.

1:00 PM - 1:15 PM – Athletes Arrive

1:15 PM – Registration/Check-in opens

1:30 PM – Welcome, Event Briefing and Group photo

1:45 PM – Depart to starting hole

2:00 PM – Tee off for 9 holes

4:30 PM – Play concludes, and athletes return to clubhouse

4:45 PM - 5:30 PM (5:45 PM at the latest) – Awards Presentation

Relatives and carers present on the day are very welcome to attend and enjoy the presentation.

Motorised Golf Carts will be provided for athletes/unified partners. The driver of the cart must be in possession of an Australian Driver's License.

What to Wear/Bring:

Hat and sun protection
Water Bottle
Golf Clubs, tees and golf balls if you have some
Smiles are a must!

Athletes must ensure they wear the appropriate clothing for the competition as per the dress code found here, below are some key points:

No jeans, denim or tracksuits.
Strictly no cargo shorts, board shorts or bathers.
Collared Shirts and socks are compulsory
Golf shoes are preferred; trainers/runners will be fine (shoes must be closed in).

Any Special Olympics Western Australia players who have a collared shirt are encouraged to wear them in the first instance; Blue Ready Steady Golf shirts are also encouraged.

How much:

Free

How to register:

To compete in the competition, athletes must register online via this page by 5pm, Sunday, September 14th, 2025. Before the competition, all registered athletes will receive an information pack with further information on the event

Want to help us make a difference?
Join us as a volunteer! You can assist coaches, support events, mentor athletes, promote programs, or help behind the scenes. Fill out an Expression of Interest form today and help create an inclusive and supportive community.
Special Olympics WA Volunteer Expression of interest

Need Our Help?
Contact us at info.wa@specialolympics.com.au