The 22-year-old had to undergo intensive weeks of training in preparation for the Special Olympics World Games 2023. For months, the young player trained intensively with his coach Bradley Kerr on three days a week at the Bielefeld Golf Club for his big performance in Berlin. Lukas competed in the Level 1 performance class Skill Challenge, where the players have to hit the balls into the hole or as close as possible using predefined shot techniques. The closer the balls are to the target, the more points the players get. With a score of 265 points, Lukas achieved a terrific second place and had only two points less than the gold medallist from South Africa.
Successful golf player despite handicap
Lukas Kollmeyer discovered an interest in golf through his participation in the Hörmann-sponsored golf club at the Mamre Patmos special school in Bethel. Over six and a half years have passed since then, and Lukas has made great improvements in the game of golf. The special thing about his game is that he has been playing one-handed from the start due to paralysis on one side of his body. In the process, golf has not only improved his posture and walking, it also promotes social interaction and togetherness. During training and at tournaments, people play together, allowing them to meet up and develop friendships.
Further successes at the Special Olympics 2023
Like Lukas Kollmeyer, Petra Constanze Pithan, another member of the Hörmann-supported golf club, was also successful at the Special Olympics 2023. At the end of the tournament, she claimed silver in the Stroke Play Challenge of the Level 5 performance class (9-hole individual classification). Both she and Lukas have been preparing intensively for the competition with their coach Bradley Kerr in the golf club of the Mamre Patmos special school in Bethel.
In addition to golf, tennis was another discipline at the Special Olympics. Sophia Schmidt, a student at Mamre Patmos School until the end of last school year, secured the silver medal in the women’s singles. In the women’s doubles she won the gold medal with her doubles partner.
Congratulations to all participants of this unique sports event!
Commitment to inclusion in everyday life and in sports
„I congratulate Lukas Kollmeyer and Petra Constanze Pithan, the entire German golf team, their coaches, support staff and volunteers on this success. During these colourful, open, tolerant and inclusive Special Olympics World Games, we were all able to experience the great enthusiasm that the more than 7000 participating athletes have for their sports. It gives me great pleasure that the “Golf & Diversity” sponsorship programmes have formed the basis for a strong German golf team and that Hörmann has been able to contribute a substantial share to the funding. At Hörmann, we will continue to promote inclusion, both in everyday life and in sport, for example at the 8th inclusive golf tournament of the Bielefeld Golf Club and the Mamre Patmos School on 21.10.2023.“
- Martin J. Hörmann, personally liable partner of the Hörmann Group
Find out more about the Mamre Patmos special school’s golf club here.