Special Olympics Archives - Morton Golf Foundation

Special Olympics Golf Regionals Held at Haggin Oaks on September 13, 2024

Nearly 500 athletes and their caregivers gathered at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex for a day of fun, and skill-building, and camaraderie at the Special Olympics Golf Regionals.

For the past fourteen years Morton Golf Foundation has been a key sponsor of Special Olympics Golf Regionals at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex.

This year, nearly 500 Special Olympics Athletes & their caregivers showed up with a positive attitude knowing they were going to spend a fun morning at the golf course.

Several athletes arrived early to play golf on MacKenzie Golf Course along with a separate group playing a Shotgun scramble on Arcade Creek Golf Course. While they were playing on the course the remaining athletes went to the back of the range to showcase their golf skills. There were 5 different skills stations set up with over 30 Morton Golf Foundation volunteers guiding them through their contest.

The morning ended with the Haggin Oaks famous burger bar to enjoy while they cheered on each Athlete as they received their metal.

Several volunteers have already approached us to make sure they stay on our volunteer list for next year. The first time we ask them and from then on, the volunteers ask us to help.

This event is always our best event of the year as we all believe that the Special Olympics Athletes are the real winners. Thanks for everyone’s support & we look forward to seeing you back next September.

Special Olympics Golf Regional at Haggin Oaks

The Special Olympics Golf Reginal was held at Haggin Oaks on September 9, 2022. We were thrilled to host all of the athletes and families that participated.

Today was a very special day at Haggin Oaks. It’s been 3 years since the last Special Olympics Golf Regionals has held due to COVID-19.

The Special Olympics Athletes started to arrive, the volunteers were in place & the BBQ grills were cooking burgers.

36 Athletes had the opportunity to play 9-holes of golf & 100 more Athletes were transported to the back of the driving range to compete with their golf skills. No matter which way the Special Olympic Athletes competed everyone went home with a medal.

From the time everyone stepped onto the property of Haggin Oaks until the time that Alex Cooper, Director of Youth, Family & Adaptive Golf officially closed the Summer Games everyone was enjoying a healthy outdoor recreational golf experience.

We all can’t wait for next year’s Special Olympics Golf Regionals.

The Putting Party represents everything wonderful about the Great Game of Golf!

Outside in the fresh air, friends getting together, music playing, the sound of laughter, raising Funds for some of Sacramento’s best charities. “The Putting Party” is back and better than ever.

We were so honored to have our two celebrities on hand to enhance the evening. Kevin Patton told his story of golf literally “Saving His Life” through the PGA HOPE Program. Kevin continues to feel good as he enjoys golf each week and competes at a national level in the Para Golfer Competitions. Kevin Sutherland, PGA Tour Champions Member, and Morton Golf Foundation Board Member were also on hand. As always, Kevin shared his extensive golfing knowledge and showed us all how to really putt.

Although the real winner is Charity, the players enjoyed some friendly competition. Congratulations to team CBS TV/CW 31 Double Eagles for taking home the golf with an amazing 8 under par 28. Team Mel Rapton Honda took the silver at 7 under par, 29.

Everyone had a blast and we are excited to keep this tradition going for years to come.

Special Honor for Special Olympian Jeremy McCarthy

Jeremy McCarthy of the First Tee California Eagles Group receives Special Olympics Honor

Left to right: Rob Siebers, President Tom Morton, Jeremy McCarthy, Tom Corlett, Kelli Corlett, and Jane Siebers

On Tuesday, August 31st, 2021 Special Olympics of Northern California surprised Jeremy McCarthy and Tom Corlett with an invite to the Special Olympic Games USA in Orlando, FL in June, 2022. The pair has participated in the Northern California Alternate Shot Competition with Special Olympics for the past 10 years.

Jeremy and Tom have a very special bond and have been in each other’s lives for the past 35 years. Jeremy’s mom and Tom’s wife are the closest friends and used to work together.

Jeremy and Tom co-coach one of the groups within the California Eagle Golf Program and have been for the past 11 years. The two make quite a pair and we could not be more happy and proud of them!

Jeremy began his golf career at the age of 6 with lessons from Golf Professional Dick McShane at Haggin Oaks.

Comforting Words During COVID-19

Jonathan Sparks, a Special Olympic Athletes and Morton Golf Foundation supporter, shares words of encouragement with our MGF supporters, family, and friends:

During this uncertain and frustrating time, let us remember what makes Special Olympics great is that we are a family. So let us look to each other for support! Even when things look dark, there will always be a light. Remember the Special Olympics Torch represents faith and hope! When I get frustrated or even overwhelmed, God always takes care of me or uses me to be a light for others. Let us pray for each other and our nation.

Your Friend,

Jonathan Sparks

Join The Habit Burger Grill in Support of Special Olympics Northern California Polar Plunge

Morton Golf Foundation is very proud to support one of our California Eagles, Jonathan Sparks (age 55), with his goal to participate in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge in February 2019.

Jonathan will be at The Habit Burger Grill, 7400 Laguna Blvd., Elk Grove, CA 95758 on December 17th from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. to greet everyone and tell his story.

Visit The Habit Burger Grill on Monday, December 17, 2018, from 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm and The Habit Burger Grill will DONATE 20% OF SALES from this event to benefit the Special Olympics Northern California Polar Plunge. Simply print out the accompanying flyer or show offer on your smartphone to the cashier upon ordering.

Follow this link to print the flyer: The Habit Burger Grill-2

What a wonderful way to support our California Eagles along with Special Olympics as we cheer Jonathan on!

Giving never tasted so good. Make it a HABIT!

Special Olympics are Back at Haggin Oaks!

Morton Golf Foundation is proud once again to be a sponsor for the Special Olympics Northern California Sacramento Golf Regional Competition held at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex on September 15, 2017.

The sun is shining, the weather is cooler and the athletes are out! This is a very special day where we see Special Olympic Athletes come together for golf, sportsmanship & “fun”.

The fun starts when you arrive in the morning and see the athletes gather as TEAMS in their matching shirts to get ready for the day ahead. Several of the athletes perform golf skills at the back of the driving range while others play a round of golf on the Arcade Creek Golf Course at Haggin Oaks. No matter where they are and what they do, they all end up together to enjoy a BBQ luncheon at the end of the event as they share stories on how well they golfed.

Morton Golf Foundation continues to be eager to sponsor this powerful event. We see Special Olympic Athletes, Care Givers and Volunteers as equals all participating in the fun.

Friendships are made each year and the special part is to meet back again the following year.

Thank you Special Olympics Northern California from your friends at Morton Golf Foundation as we look forward to seeing you back next September!

Morton Golf Foundation Supports Special Olympics Polar Plunge Fundraiser August 15th, 16th & 17th

Morton Golf Foundation is very proud to support the Special Olympics in a 3 day fundraiser at “Taste of Tuscany” restaurant in Antelope, CA.

One of Morton Golf Foundation’s very own Special Olympic Athlete, Jonathan Sparks came to us for an idea for a fundraiser for him to raise money to compete in a Special Olympic event called the Polar Plunge next February at Nimbus Dam in Folsom. The Owners of “Taste of Tuscany” restaurant Jeremy & Natalee Price offered to host their restaurant for 3 days by giving 20% of anyone’s food bill to support Special Olympics.

Last night around 4:45 p.m. Jonathan Sparks arrived with Special Olympic posters, winning medals around his neck & wearing his Special Olympics shirt that was given to him for participating in the torch relay last year for the summer games. By 5:30 p.m. close to 60 friends of Morton Golf Foundation had flooded their restaurant in support of Special Olympics. Jonathan was so proud as he went table to table to welcome everyone and thank them for coming.

When Jonathan left for the evening he was confident and so proud as he was well on his way to meeting his financial fundraising goal.

Morton Golf Foundation wishes to thank “Taste of Tuscany” and Special Olympics for giving Jonathan Sparks another opportunity to shine.

Support the Special Olympics Polar Plunge

The Special Olympics Northern California is partnering with Morton Golf Foundation to support the Special Olympics Polar Plunge at ‘Taste of Tuscany’ Italian Restaurant

Each year Jonathan Sparks, Morton Golf Foundation’s very own Special Olympian and 2015 World Summer Games Torch Bearer raises money to give back to support a cause that is near and dear to his heart: Special Olympics Northern California. This year, Taste of Tuscany is supporting Jonathan by donating 20% of the food bills for all tables that come in to support Jonathan on the following dates:

Monday evening (August 15) from 11:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday evening (August 16) from 11:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday evening (August 17) from 11:00am – 5:00pm

The donation will be given directly to Special Olympics Northern California Polar Plunge Fundraiser in care of Jonathan Sparks.

Meet Jonathan at Taste of Tuscany on Monday, August 15 at 5:00pm. If you cannot attend on Monday, August 15, come out on Tuesday, August 16 or Wednesday, August 17 for dinner to have 20% of your dinner bill still donated to this worthy cause.

We hope to see you there!

Taste of Tuscany Italian Restaurant is located at 7753 Roseville Road, Suite #A in Sacramento, CA 95842.

About the Morton Golf Foundation
The Morton Golf Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit corporation established and operated exclusively for charitable purposes. The Morton Golf Foundation vision is to enrich the lives of the less fortunate through the great game of golf. To learn more about how you can help, contact Jane Siebers at jsiebers@hagginoaks.com

The Special Olympics Golf Regionals Held at Haggin Oaks on September 11, 2015

On September 11, 2015, the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex hosted the Special Olympics Golf Regionals. Starting at 7:30 am, over 200 Special Olympic athletes, along with over 50 volunteers, arrived with smiles on their faces in anticipation of a fun filled golf experience ahead.

Before the event started, everyone gathered for the Opening Ceremonies which included the Pledge of Allegiance, Special Olympic pledge and the torch from this year’s Special Olympic summer games. Next, Tom Morton, President of Morton Golf Foundation, announced that the games were officially open.

The event included 5 different golf skills stations set up on the Haggin Oaks Academy Holes at the back of the driving range. Athletes had an opportunity to show their talent. At one point during the day, Jane Siebers, Administrator for the Morton Golf Foundation, heard one of the athletes bragging about the 3 hole-in-one’s she had made.

There were also approximately 100 athletes that tested their golf skills for 9-holes on the Arcade Creek Golf Course in the 90 degree heat.

Everyone was a WINNER during the Special Olympics Golf Regionals. At the conclusion of the activities, everyone met back at the Creekside Landing Tent for a tasty hamburger BBQ and award ceremonies.

The athletes and volunteers went home energized and waiting for next year’s competition.