Special Olympians from all over Kansas came to Wichita to compete in the Charles E. Watson Special Olympics State Softball and Golf Tournament July 31 thru Aug. 2. 

Seventy-five unified teams, and seven individual athletes participated in the golf tournament at LW Clapp Golf Course Friday, July 31.

397 Special Olympics athletes and 118 coaches attended the Softball Tournament at Cessna Activities Center and Plainview City Fields.  Sixteen Slow Pitch teams, 13 Coach Pitch teams and four T-Ball teams competed in the Tournament. 

This year was the first year the Tournament was held in Wichita, after being held in Winfield for the past 34 years.  According to Tim Rehder, Special Olympics, one reason for the move to Wichita was the struggle to find enough volunteers in Winfield.

“[We are] greatly appreciative of the volunteer support for the tourney,” said Rehder.  “The number of HT volunteers, including others than HT, reinforced it was the correct decision to move the tournament.  This year’s event was one of the best in the 14 years I have been a staff member of SOKS."
 
If you are interested in supporting the 2009 Special Olympics Kansas State Softball and Golf Tournament, contact Tracy Lucas at 316.831.8105 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To learn more information about the State Softball and Golf Tournament visit http://www.ksso.org/softballgolf.html.