Golf Tournament in Navy SEAL's Memory to Benefit Special Olympics

Local law enforcement volunteers will hold their 1st Annual John Douangdara Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut at the Shennecossett Golf Course on Friday, October 5th. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 11 a.m. and dinner and awards at 6 p.m. The Shennecossett Golf Course is located at 93 Plant Street in Groton. For more information, contact Brian McCarthy at 860-460-2219 or baldgu1469@gmail.com.

The tournament will honor the memory of John “Jet Li” Douangdara, who lost his life on August 6, 2011 while serving in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Douangdara moved to the Naval Submarine Base in New London in August of 2006, before joining his East Coast-based SEAL team in January of 2008.

Sponsors of the golf tournament include Cardinal Honda, Valenti Family of Dealerships, The Wolf 102.5, Q105, Groton Public Utilities and Kohl’s.

The 1st annual John Douangdara Memorial Golf Tournament is a Law Enforcement Torch Run event to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut. To find out more about Special Olympics Connecticut, visit soct.org, call (203) 230-1201 or email specialolympicsct@soct.org.

About the Special Olympics Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run®

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Connecticut is one of the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicles. This year-round program involves law enforcement officers from across the state who volunteer their time to raise awareness and funds through events including Tip-a-Cops, Cop-on-Tops, and Jail N’ Bail fundraisers.

In addition, each year in June, over 1,500 officers and athletes carry the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" through hundreds of cities and towns across the state, covering over 530 miles over three days. The runners run the “Final Leg” and light the ceremonial cauldron during Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games.

Law Enforcement Torch Run Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors: Dream Ride, Whelen Engineering, WWE and The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund.

Gold Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets / IGA Hometown Supermarkets and Papa’s Dodge.

About Special Olympics Connecticut

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 12,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners - their teammates without disabilities. Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 172 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for all people, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)

Partner Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Dream Ride, ESPN, Eversource Energy, The Golisano Foundation, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut, TD Bank, United Technologies and WWE.

Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Campus Customs, The Coca-Cola Company, Connecticut Portable Storage/PODS, Crystal Rock Water and Coffee Company, Dunkin’ Donuts, Guida’s Milk and Ice Cream, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Marcus Communications, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and WORX.