Amy became the first person with Down syndrome to play in the Arizona State Division I Girls Golf High School Championship. Her hard work and gifted talent have been honored with the Best Moment of the Year Award for Arizona High School Sports in 2017. Amy has taken part in the Special Olympics North America Golf Invitational in Seattle as well as in the PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open Celebrity Putting Contest. She also competes in swimming and volleyball in Special Olympics. Amy has accepted a full golf scholarship at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, where she will major in dance. She also loves to play piano and perform in musical theater. We congratulate Amy on her brilliant achievements and future endeavors.

When did you start taking an interest in golf? What is the best thing you love about golf?A:  I started playing golf about 5 years ago when I was in 8th grade. I played in a couple of charity scrambles with my dad and liked it. My parents thought golf would be a good skill for me to learn and found a coach to give me lessons. What I love the most about golf is meeting and playing with other girls.

Which golf tournament is the most memorable and why?A: My first Arizona State Golf Championship when I was a Junior is my most memorable tournament. There was an article about me playing at State in the newspaper and many people from all over Arizona said hello and congratulated me. Also, I made a birdie, which was very exciting!

What kind of challenges did you face during school years? What is your plan now that you have graduated high school?A: I have always loved school and been included in regular classes during most of the school day. When I was in 7th and 8th grades, I was the team manager for the Girls Volleyball team. I loved practicing and hanging out with the girls. The coach even let me serve a few times in actual games. I really wanted to be a player, though, and was very disappointed and sad that I wasn’t tall enough or good enough to compete. I’m only 4’9”. About this same time, I started taking golf lessons and found a new sport that was just right for me.
My greatest challenge in playing golf has been building up the stamina to walk 18 holes in the Arizona heat, which is sometimes more than 110 degrees in the summer. I’ve worked hard, gotten stronger and learned how to handle the heat.
My plan after high school is to attend Paradise Valley Community College. I will play golf on a full scholarship. My major is dance.

Who is your favorite golfer? Which of his/her qualities has inspired you the most?A: My favorite golfers are my teammates at Sandra Day O’Connor High School and my friends in Girls Golf of Phoenix. They have all been so nice and helpful and great teammates. I have two favorite professional golfers, both Sarah Jane Smith and Ariya Jutanugarn. In 2017, I represented Special Olympics Arizona and played in the LPGA Founders Cup Pro-Am with Sarah Jane, which was awesome. She is really nice. Earlier this year, Ariya, whose nickname is “May,” gave me a chipping lesson at a Founders Cup clinic and I really had fun with her and her sister Moriya, (“Mo”). They are both very sweet and funny. May is now number 1 in the Rolex world rankings this year!

What are your other hobbies?A: I play piano and Special Olympics swimming, volleyball and golf. I also play Challenger baseball. My favorite hobbies, besides golf, are dance and musical theater. I am looking forward to majoring in dance in college.

What do you like to do when you are with your family/friends?A: With my friends, I like hanging out and dancing. Sometimes we go out to eat, swim, sing karaoke, go bowling or to movies. Of course, I played golf with my teammates and my friends in Girls Golf of Phoenix. With my family, I like golfing and playing games and being Aunt Amy to my nephew and niece. Sometimes my family takes trips and we get to see new cities. I really like that, too.

Can you give some tips/advice for those in our community who want to learn golf?A: Special Olympics is a great place to start. Also, some cities have Girls Golf or other junior golfer programs. Sometimes, courses offer clinics with lessons. Find a coach you like and practice, practice, practice!

Any special message for our community?A: Try new things. Get involved in lots of activities, meet people and make friends. Each of us can make a difference. We are all better when we come together.