September 7, 2007
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(By John Terhune/Journal &
Courier) Bob Plante chips on to the putting green as his son, Jason, looks on Wednesday, at the Elks Country Club in West Lafayette. |
West Lafayette's Bob and Jason Plante can hardly wait to hear the chants of "USA! USA!"
The father and son will participate with Team USA at next month's Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. The event is scheduled from Oct. 2 to 11, but the pair will leave from Los Angeles on Sept. 26.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Special Olympians," said Jason, 17. "It is a real honor to represent the USA."
About 7,500 Special Olympians from 160 countries are expected to participate. The event will mark the first time the Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Asia, and only the second time the games will be held outside the United States.
The Plantes are part of Special Olympics Tippecanoe County. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Bob Plante is a Purdue University professor of management, while Jason is a senior at Harrison High School. They are entering as Unified Sports participants -- a Special Olympian is partnered with a person who has no intellectual challenges.
"Special Olympics has changed Jason's life," Bob said. "The way Jason plays the game is a great inspiration as I watch him grow into a young man in a sport that he truly loves. It's great father/son bonding time."
The teenager copes with "pervasive developmental disorders."
"He is an honor roll student at Harrison, but he is slower," Bob said. "The Harrison people have been wonderful to Jason."
The golfers won their division at last year's Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament in Ames, Iowa.
"I went to nationals and made friends from across the country," Jason said. "In China, I'll make friends from around the world."
The pair said they enjoy playing at local and area golf courses, especially Edwood Glen and the Elks Country Club.
Jason, whose best 18-hole score is 74, also plays with the Harrison junior varsity golf team.
"Golf is not only a passion for Jason, but he is focusing on the classroom," said Harrison coach Dave Schneider. "He is very conscientious about improving his game.
"I think Special Olympics and golf have helped him blossom."
At midweek, the pair practiced putting and chipping at the Elks course. They will compete in the best ball event in China.
Bob said he has traveled to China several times as part of his job.
"I'll visit with friends from that part of the world," he said.
Special Olympians also will have host families who will help them learn about the Chinese culture.
"This is a great educational opportunity for Jason," the proud father said. "The Chinese are warm, wonderful people."
Good luck to the Plantes and to Team USA.
ý Contact Bob Scott at Journal & Courier, 217 N. Sixth St., Lafayette, IN, 47901; call 420-5248, fax 420-5246, or e-mail bscott@journalandcourier.com.