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| Oliver Doherty (right) is pictured with his father Jim, who also acts as his caddie. Doherty is posting his gold-medal-winning score after the golf competition of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. [Photo by Frank Miller; IRELAND OUT] |
Peter Smyth wrote the original articles this profile was based on; they appeared in The Games Gazette, the official newspaper of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
Special Olympics Ireland athlete Oliver Doherty is a veteran, having been involved with the movement for the past six years. The 26-year-old Buncrana man also competed at the Special Olympics Ireland National Games. “I think that it is a great honor to play for my country,” he said.
A keen golfer who follows the Ryder Cup and other tournaments, he hopes to keep developing his game. His sights will have to be set high after clinching the gold medal in 18-hole Level 5 Stroke Play at Portmarnock Golf Links by a massive 20 strokes.
Doherty and his father, Jim Doherty, have been playing golf together for 10 years, a relationship and a sporting focus that will carry on well after the World Games are over, according to Jim Doherty.
As he prepared for a 9.30 a.m. tee off on 26 June, the final day of golf competition, Doherty was in excellent humor. He exchanged banter with his father on the practice putting green, all the while hitting in some great putts. Meanwhile, Jim Doherty was praying that the athlete’s play would match the fantastic 78 he had shot the previous day.
He said that his son would have to concentrate on improving his chip shots and putting, to maintain or improve his earlier showings. “He played a normal game yesterday [25 June],” Jim Doherty said, “but must stop dropping shots.” However, coach Philip Patterson from Portadown, Co. Armagh, said Doherty’s game was where it should be. “If he plays the same today, he has the game,” he said. “If he keeps himself settled, he will have it.” And he did.
Doherty's other sporting interests include bowling and swimming. He also enjoys listening to music, playing computer games and going to the disco.
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