LOCAL

Four Corners Invitational brings Special Olympians to Farmington

The Daily Times staff
Unified partner Scot Morin, right, helps his athlete Alex Correa with his footwork Friday during the Special Olympics New Mexico Four Corners Invitational at the Pinon Hills Golf Course in Farmington.

FARMINGTON — The Special Olympics New Mexico Four Corners Invitational returned to Farmington for the 13th year this week.

Farmington has been hosting the two-day event since 2005.

The event attracted hundreds of athletes from across New Mexico to compete in events like golf, softball and aquatics.

Nathan Valdez practices his putting Friday during the Special Olympics New Mexico Four Corners Invitational at the Pinon Hills Golf Course in Farmington.

Golf began at 8 a.m. today at three courses in San Juan County, and awards were distributed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at each of the courses.

The golf and softball competitions are unified, meaning people with disabilities play alongside people without disabilities.

In golf, each Special Olympics athlete was paired with a unified partner.

More:Tom Yost wins Special Olympics New Mexico award

Donald Scott Patterson begins his backswing Friday during the Special Olympics New Mexico Four Corners Invitational at the Pinon Hills Golf Course in Farmington.

Softball teams will compete from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Ricketts Park, and the aquatics competition will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Farmington Aquatics Center. Both Ricketts Park and the aquatic center are located on Fairgrounds Road in Farmington.

The closing ceremonies will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday followed by a victory dance.

Mike Dushi eyes the fairway as unified partner Steve Cunningham watches Friday during the Special Olympics New Mexico Four Corners Invitational at the Pinon Hills Golf Course in Farmington.