Vote for MJ McColgan

6 June 2008

Special Olympics Northern California athlete MJ McColgan needs your help! McColgan, a champion golfer and 2002 graduate of San Ramon Valley High School in California, was recently selected by the Golf Channel as one of five finalists, from a pool of thousands, as part of the television network's "Father's Day Dream Trip" contest. Contestants submitted a 200-word story about a life lesson their father taught them through the game of golf or on the golf course. Mike “MJ” McColgan, left, and his favorite professional golfer, Casey Martin. [Photo courtesy McColgan family] The contest winner will be determined by the number of votes from golf fans who visit the Golf Channel's Web site and choose their favorite story. Voting takes place during the week of June 9. All five finalists will share their story on the Golf Channel and attend the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. The winner will receive the grand prize of a Father's Day Dream Trip to the famous St. Andrews Golf Course in Scotland. The grand prize winner will be announced on Father's Day, 15 June, during Golf Channel's LIVE FROM the U.S. Open. "It will make Father's Day extra special for my dad as we have created lots of good memories playing golf together since I was 5 years old," MJ McColgan said. McColgan was born with a walking disability and competes with his father, Mike, in the Ryder Cup Alternate Shot format for Special Olympics Northern California with the use of a golf cart. He has won three Special Olympics National Invitational Championships and seven straight Special Olympics Northern California State Championships. He participated in the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, and the 2007 World Games in Shanghai, China, as a volunteer. His goal is to be selected as a part of Special Olympics Team USA and compete in the 2011 World Games in Athens, Greece. At home in California, McColgan serves as a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics Northern California and in 2007 he helped raise US$1 million dollars working with the police, giving speeches about winning and overcoming adversity. When asked how he keeps motivated, McColgan said, "It is easy. The golf keeps my legs moving, I love the competition and winning never gets old." McColgan's drive to succeed no matter the obstacles in front of him has always been encouraged by his parents. “Although our house is filled with many gold medals, the most important thing we have taught MJ is to focus on his abilities and not his disability," says his mother, Linda. McColgan has also been inducted into the 2004 San Francisco Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2008, he has been nominated for the California Hall of Fame. He and his father have co-authored five golf books, including "Walking 18 Holes with Tiger," their remembrances of playing the famous Augusta National golf course, site of the annual Masters Championship. The prize for being a Father's Day Dream Trip contest finalist includes a trip for two to the U.S. Open, a set of TaylorMade golf clubs, staff bag, golf balls for a year, and a US$1,000 shopping spree at Dick's Sporting Goods. Vote for MJ McColgan! The Golf Channel will accept one vote per e-mail address per day starting 9 June.