GB golfers head to Macau for Special Olympics Golf Masters
Keen golfers Mikael Undrom and Michael Lines are in Macau this week for the Special Olympics Golf Masters 2015, taking place from 20 -25 April.
Two golfers from the Special Olympics Great Britain team are taking part in the Special Olympics Golf masters 2015 in Macau this week. Mikael Undrom (picutred left), 27 and Michael Lines (pictured right), 26 have travelled out there with Head of Delegation for this competition Elsie Undrom and coach Sally Lines.
Mikael Undrom, aged 27 is an all-round sportsman and a success one at that. He has lots of gold, silver and bronze medals and a whole cabinet full of other trophies!
Mikael has Down's Syndrome and since getting involved with Special Olympics GB seven years ago, he has achieved many athletic and sporting accolades. Mikael and his family believe his involvement with Special Olympics has been the single most life-changing opportunity for him and for countless other people with learning (intellectual) disabilities. Mum and coach Elsie said:
'I am very proud of him but had no idea how talented he is. He has made so many lovely friends and his confidence rocketed dramatically when he became involved with Special Olympics.'
Mikael has represented Great Britain in skiing in the Winter Special Olympics in South Korea as well as in golf in Austria and Macau. His endless energy levels means that he fits many other interests around his busy training schedule. Including working in a local restaurant, volunteering in a day centre for the elderly, oil painting, athletics, bowling and playing football. When asked to comment on his achievements in sport and beyond Mikael simple said:
'I just love to make people laugh and help them be happy.'
Michael (Mikey) Lines is 26 and also heading to Macau for the Golf Masters. He loves golf, ten pin bowling, skiing and kayaking, and has been training with Special Olympis GB for six years now.
Mikey has previously represented the GB team in ten pin bowling at Germany’s 8th Special Olympics National Games. Where GB were invited to take on the hosts. Mikey won two gold medals and a silver in the top division. He has also achieved the highest average score in the country during the National Games in ten pin bowling in 2009 & 2013.
His love for sport is helping him to learn strategies which will help him in everything life. Mikey’s Mum, Sally said:
'Communication is one of the biggest problems for him but this has improved massively since being part of the Special Olympics GB.
'Probably because he is focusing on something he can do and is good at which has taken the pressure off some things he finds difficult. It has also given him so much more confidence.
'Twenty years ago when he was diagnosed with Autism his future looked very bleak. I am so grateful to the Special Olympics Great Britian who have given Mikey the chance to be part of a team, make friends and open so many doors.'
