DeafNation-Sorenson VRS collaborated to do a Junior Golf event held in Mt. Airy, Maryland from June 26-28th, being very successful in hosting the National Deaf Junior Golf Classic benefiting the DeafNation Foundation. It was a first for DeafNation-Sorenson VRS, with 29 junior golfers signed up and taking part in the event which included golf seminars and clinics.

Two age divisions, 8-11 and 12-18 participated, both boys and girls. Some 12-18 year old boys finished 9 holes while the last top 6 golfers finished 18 holes in the 2nd round.

Mike Houston, a Deaf PGA Instructor, coached the seminars and clinics while two other Deaf instructors, George Dyess and Lorraine Stoltz were there to support Mike with the junior golfers. The kids had a lot of fun learning new tips and golf etiquette.

Michael Tota was the first golfer to tee off at the Junior Deaf Tournament. He was pretty nervous, hitting a nice fade. That is why this tournament is so crucial with Deaf Instructors guiding the junior golfers, boosting their confidence with a golf club.

“I was so inspired seeing this kids who have high desire to learn about golf and being more competitive with other Deaf golfers,” said Joel Barish, DeafNation’s CEO.

During the first round, we had to stop due to a heavy downpour of rain. The kids had a great experience to taste the nasty weather, combating conditions that all golfers face. When people think of golf, it’s a nice sunny day with the greenest landscape, with a yawn. But golf can rankle senses in pouring rain, and this is where the kids stood out!

The kids came back to the clubhouse for lunch but were so restless coming back to the golf course. Finally the storm passed by, and we all went back to finish the remaining 9 holes.

After the first round completed, we had a chipping and putting contest. There were some close calls among the competitors; Ryan Bonheyo won two contests chipping and putting by a few inches.

In the 2nd day, we had heavy rain overnight. Three divisions of golfers completed their 9 holes. Everyone including volunteers and parents ran to witness the last two groups of the top 6 golfers at hole #15. Those 6 golfers felt so pressured by the gallery of onlookers. It was a wonderful experience for them.

Eric Grisworld and Michael Mabashov were in head to head. Eric missed the par on par three and that gave Michael a big cushion of a lead to the 18th hole. Both of them drove their balls into the fairway and the 2nd shot in the green. Both of them felt satisfied with their par at the last hole.

Mabashov won the championship and was approached by his father, Jerry Mabashov. It was such a moving display of emotion by the gallery by the “father and son” tandem and Jerry expressed the joy he felt for his son. Mabashov declared, “Michael has been beating me in golf lately; but I love golf and he is my son!”

Mike Houston concluded, “It was a great event and experience for those young kids, I can see their high level of motivation in learning about golf.”

Houston emphasized, “I do appreciate in the fact that DeafNation and Sorenson VRS believe in the new generation of potential elite athletes who want to be in high level of golf competition with hearing junior golfers and adults.”