Six years ago, the golf world fell in love with Amy Bockerstette. A 21-year-old with Down syndrome, she was invited to play in the WM Phoenix Open pro-am with Gary Woodland through her association with the Special Olympics. Her par – and confidence – on the famous 16th hole stole everyone’s hearts.
Bockerstette and her family turned that moment into a foundation – I Got This – which is what she said before draining her par putt in front of the huge crowd. The I Got This Foundation was one of this year’s Gainbridge Assists recipients, and they received $5,000 for their continued work in education in women’s sports.
On the first day of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, Bockerstette and I Got This hosted a golf clinic on the driving range and chipping green at Pelican Golf Club for people with intellectual disabilities. Local coaches, including Pelican’s Director of Women’s Golf and coaching influencer Nathalie Sheehan, added their expertise for the day.
Led by the foundation’s executive director Tracy Hupko, the clinic began with some surprise guests – LPGA Tour and Solheim Cup players Emily Kristine Pedersen and Linn Grant stopped by to say hello and left with good luck wishes from the group. The class went through warmups before learning how to grip a golf club with a ruler and how to move the arms with a small basketball. Each participant got to keep these items so they can continue practicing at home.
Once the basics were mastered, the group moved to the driving range, where the participants were able to not only practice alongside the LPGA Tour pros, but they were also given a demonstration by Bockerstette herself. Bockerstette had played golf in college and can still stripe it down the middle.
As the group continued with the clinic, learning to chip and putt, their personalities began to shine and friendships were formed. By the end of the two-hour clinic, everyone was presented with an I Got This flag and sharpie. They signed each other’s flags yearbook-style and left with huge smiles on their faces.
What was really special about this afternoon was seeing the smiles and growing confidence in each participant’s face as he or she struck the ball. There were high-fives and hugs galore. It goes to show how playing golf goes beyond the physical motions and taps into the emotions of anyone who participates. Golf is a vehicle to some of life’s best gifts, and the I Got This Foundation cultivates the love of golf, friendship and confidence all over the country with their clinics, golf camps and charity tournament
