London Special Olympian wins North American Gold Medal
Trailing by four strokes going into the final round, Chris Lauzon knew he had work to do.
At the North American Special Olympics (NASO) golf tournament in Wichita, Kansas, Lauzon shot a final round 62 over nine holes to win the event by five shots.
“The second day was my bad day (score of 68) with high winds, and I just couldn't get my shots down,” said Lauzon.
“Thursday was a reset day, and I just put an amazing finish.”
Special Olympics coach Todd DeSilva accompanied Lauzon and caddied for him over the three-day event.
“Chris really turned it around on the on the third and final day and shot one of his best rounds, and the results speak for themselves,” said DeSilva.
Special Olympian Chris Lauzon of London, Ont. shot a three-round total of 193 to win gold at the North American Special Olympics golf tournament in Wichita, Kansas on Nov. 3, 2024. (Source: Todd DeSilva)
He beat four others in the Level Four tournament, which he had previously competed in in 2015 in South Carolina.
“Last time I went I was not the greatest,” said Lauzon.
“From that point on, I was just going to do training, get better, and hopefully one day will get back to this tournament and have a better outcome”.
He did just that, scoring 193 over the three days.
“I was his head coach for the floor hockey team (London Blazers) that won Nationals in Calgary, so I know how much of a competitor he is,” said DeSilva.
“Just seeing him complete in an individual sport, I’m super proud with how he turned his game around, especially after the second day. He was really frustrated after the second day, but being able to work with him through those challenges, it's very satisfying to me as a coach to be able to see him succeed.”
Because he was trailing by four heading into the final round, even with his impressive 62 he didn’t know he had won.
DeSilva took that opportunity to have a little fun with him.
“Todd called and said they posted the outcome and ‘you may not like what the outcome is,’” said Lauzon.
“He knew already (the results) and he was just playing a joke. When I got to the board, I had the biggest smile because he got with that joke.”
As for the London Blazers hockey team, this week they were named Special Olympics Ontario ‘Team of the Year’.
The London Blazers Floor Hockey Team was named 2024 Special Olympics Ontario Team of the Year (Source: Torch Run London)
“We were also finalist for team of the year Canada. Unfortunately, we lost to a curling team, but just to be recognized in that regard as one of the best teams in Canada is a super honour,” said DeSilva.
“I’m proud of both of those achievements, I'm super proud of the guys.”
Lauzon won individual and team gold this year in major events.
“I think 2024 was a great year of sports for me,” said Lauzon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Parliament on the road to an unprecedented confidence crisis, but there are off-ramps
If no political party is willing to say uncle, the drawn-out stalemate in the House of Commons is heading for an unprecedented situation that could amount to a tacit lack of confidence in the government, without anyone in Parliament casting a vote.
Apparent Taylor Swift ticket scam targets hundreds who claim to be out $300K
An apparent scam allegedly targeting roughly four hundred people, many of whom based out of Burlington, Ont., claim to be out approximately $300,000 in total after believing they were purchasing Taylor Swift tickets in Toronto, but never receiving them.
AP sources: Biden for the first time OKs Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles in Russia
U.S. President Joe Biden has for the first time authorized the use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles by Ukraine to strike inside Russia, according to people familiar with the matter.
Trump's Pentagon pick paid woman after sex assault allegation but denies wrongdoing, his lawyer says
Pete Hegseth, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit, according to Hegseth's lawyer.
Dwayne Johnson's US$200 million+ Christmas pic opens to US$34.1 million
Moviegoers were not exactly feeling the Christmas spirit this weekend, or at least what 'Red One' was offering. The big budget, star-driven action comedy with Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans sold US$34.1 million in tickets in its first weekend in theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. It easily topped a box office populated mostly by holdovers.
Canadian baby and toddler sleepwear recalled, risk of catching fire: Health Canada
Hundreds of organic baby- and toddler-sized rompers sold by an Ontario-based sustainable clothing company have been recalled over concerns they could catch fire and injure children, according to Health Canada.
Doctors say RFK Jr.’s anti-Ozempic stance perpetuates stigma and misrepresents evidence
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to tackle high rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity as President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services. They’re goals that many in the public health world find themselves agreeing with — despite fearing what else the infamous anti-vaccine activist may do in the post.
Military says more Canadians enlisting as second career amid recruitment struggle
Working on a military truck, within the logistics squadron of CFB Kingston, Private Charlotte Schnubb is elbows deep into an engine with a huge smile on her face.
'The Voice' winner Sundance Head recovers at home after being accidentally shot on his Texas ranch
Country singer Sundance Head, a winner on “The Voice,” is recovering at home after he was accidentally shot in the stomach while handling a firearm on a hunting trip at his East Texas ranch, his agent said Sunday.