Regina golfer headed to Special Olympics World Games

With his coach, caddie and brother watching from behind, Taylor Carter hits ball after ball at the Joanne Goulet Golf Course driving range, preparing for his games in Berlin at the Special Olympics World Games.

Carter is a golfer for Team Canada, and heads off to the Games on Saturday.

“I’m very excited, and a bit nervous, but the nerves are a good thing because they help you stay positive and trust what’s going to happen,” said Carter.

He’s 30 now, but started golfing when he was only four years old.

“My dad got me into it and I started to love it ever since and then when he passed away, I decided to honour him by doing it,” Carter explained.

He said he likes the sport because it’s competitive and challenging.

“Sometimes you want to cry, sometimes you want to give up, sometimes you want to break a club but the next day you could have it all and that’s what’s kind of the reason why I’m still out here,” Carter said.

He’s been involved with the Special Olympics for several years and said golf is a big sport there.

“There’s probably more popular ones but golf should be one of them,” Carter said with a laugh.

Carter will be competing against people from all over the world at the Games in Germany. There will be 7,000 athletes and partners, 170 countries and 24 sports involved, according to the event’s website.

Carter will be putting in his best over four days of golf. And besides the competition, he said he’s looking forward to travelling and celebrating with the team.

Not only is it a big event, but it will also be a bit of a family affair. Several members of Carter’s family will be going along as support, and his brother Tyler will be there as a team coach and Taylor’s caddie.

Tyler has been with Taylor as he competed in regional games in Nipawin, provincial games in Moose Jaw and Canada Games in Nova Scotia.

“I was really excited to be able to go along and be his caddie for the final stage of it all,” said Tyler.

Aside from the Games themselves, Tyler said one of the more enjoyable things about being involved with the Special Olympics is meeting athletes and coaches from all over. He said they’ve met a tonne of people they still keep in contact with.

“If you’ve ever been in a room full of Special Olympic athletes, there’s just nothing but positive vibes. It’s cool to be a part of,” said Tyler.

The family will be in Berlin, cheering Taylor on, then they’ll head out on their own European vacation. That’s something Taylor is also excited about.

“This is going to be awesome. (I) can’t wait,” he said.

Taylor Carter (l) and his brother and caddie Tyler Carter (r) are preparing to head to the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin for Team Canada. June 8, 2023 (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)