Krugersdorp Golf Club member Thomas John Ronald Lugg has been selected to represent South Africa at the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany.
Taking place from June 17 to 25, the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games is said to be the world’s largest inclusive sports event, and the 33-year-old Lugg will be one of thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete. According to the Games’ official website [https://www.berlin2023.org/en] the event consists of nine days of exciting and inspiring competitions, by athletes and for athletes.
Despite being diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Lugg has made an impression in the sport having toured the world. His list of achievements is long and includes having won every SA Special Olympics, the National Championship, a hole-in-one in Shanghai, Taiwan, several wins in Athens and Macau and more.
His father, Mike, explained that his son found golf after he realised that tennis involved running.
“He got upset if you did not hit the ball to him, and I mean tantrum. The very next week he was invited to a Special Olympics golf session and the coach Bryan Roelofsz noted his natural talent and taught him the basics. Sadly Bryan died last month at a hospice in Rustenburg and we managed to see him to thank him for all he did.”
Prior to Covid-19 Lugg hosted and also played in a charity golf event at Sun City which raised funds for a school in Rustenburg. He was also the first Special Olympics golfer in the world to qualify on merit to play in a national event – the SANLAM SA Amateur Golf Championship.
“Mr Gary Player has been a great supporter of Tom and not only invited him to play at Fancourt in a huge international event, but also phoned Tom from Florida to congratulate him on his SA Amateur qualifying round of 75.”
Clearly having made a name for himself on golf courses and in golf circles, Lugg has met some big-name sport personalities including Serena Williams some years ago when she was on a promotional tour here.
And although Lugg does not really have any goals or ambitions, he hopes to play a round of golf with icons Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson one day.
Lugg would like to thank Krugersdorp Golf Club and Kyalami Country Club for allowing him free practice and playing facilities as well as Calvin Caldeira, who is teaching him how to improve his scores.
Sadly, Mike said, his son’s achievements do not get recognised at either Provincial or National Sport Awards.
“There is no official world ranking system but one or two would be his if there was one,” the proud father concluded.
CAP: Tom Lugg hopes to one day to have a round of golf with icons Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
