Golfers Form Gold Medal Friendship

It might not have been a make-or-break moment, but it’s one that defines a tournament, a goal and a friendship.

During their Special Olympics state golf title defense at Oakdale’s Oak Marsh Golf Course on Aug. 21, Weston Gardebring and found themselves in trouble. Caught in the bunker at a pivotal point in the tournament, the two needed a big shot to shave a few strokes and remain in contention.

Gardebring stepped up to the ball, dug in and let it rip from 15 feet away. Those close to him might say Gardebring’s biggest asset on the course is his booming drive, but this shot looped in the air and sat comfortably five feet from the hole—an easy tap-in for Goerne.

“Oh boy, can he get out of those (bunkers),” Goerne said. “That’s the one thing that saved us in the tournament.”

Gardebring, a 2002 graduate, is a special needs athlete who competes in Special Olympics sports year-round. But in the past two years he and his teammate, Special Olympics volunteer and 2011 Edina graduate Goerne, have used golf as an avenue toward success, teamwork and friendship.

Coming off back-to-back summers winning gold medals in the Unified Partner category, the two have achieved the type of heights they might not have reached alone on the course. Off the course, the two have learned the importance of being there for each other.

“We’ve become good buddies,” Goerne said. “Going out to the golf course before tournaments or just calling each other. I’ll call him up and see if he wants to play a quick round of golf—just going out there and enjoying the weather and having fun.”

A friend in need

Juli West Gardebring describes her son as always on the move. He started Special Olympics after high school graduation in 2002, and in the years since he’s played soccer, basketball, bowling, tennis, flag football and swimming. He’s won 27 medals overall in Special Olympics since joining.

But between his father’s love for golf and his friendship with golf instructor Larry Nelson, spending time on the course has always been a special part of Gardebring’s life.

In January 2009, on the same day, both Gardebring’s father and Nelson passed away. At a difficult stage in his life, his mother said it seemed like competing alone that summer wouldn’t be quite as enjoyable.

Although his passion for the sport stayed strong, having a companion that summer would be important.

“I felt that it wasn’t as much fun for him,” West Gardebring said. “I thought it would be better to get him paired up.”

That same year, Goerne was looking to volunteer. A member of the Hornets’ golf program, Goerne learned about the Special Olympics program through a teacher and wanted to help. Initially he anticipated working with the entire Blues team—Special Olympic Minnesota’s team that draws from Edina and other surrounding suburbs—but Blues coach John Fox decided to pair him with Gardebring.

Goerne felt an immediate connection.

“He was really, I guess, shy, so I went up to him when I was coaching one day and they told me the story about him,” Goerne said. “I started talking to him, and I knew Larry Nelson, too. I just felt like I could (help).”

From there, the two flourished. They spent the summer on the course playing golf and enjoying the sport together. Goerne would call Gardebring up and ask if he wanted to play on a certain day, and they’d hit the links.

Competing in the Unified Partner grouping, one of Special Olympics’ golf categories, the two play the same ball and alternate shots. Goerne and Gardebring tee off on alternate holes.

But the two learned their connection was far more important than simply playing golf.

West Gardebring said Nelson's long-time quote was "golf makes good people." Together, Gardebring and Goerne used the sport to lean on one another.

“It’s just so heartwarming to have someone from our own community come to the Blues and to connect up with Weston,” West Gardebring said. “For (Goerne) to come and be part of the Blues, it’s just great.”

A new connection

It turns out Goerne and Gardebring had more than golf in common when they met.

Gardebring graduated alongside Goerne’s older sister in 2002. The two families never knew each other before, but in the past two years they’ve become close through their children’s friendship.

It’s a welcomed part of Goerne and Gardebring’s connection, said Kevin’s mom, Nancy Goerne.

“You never know when you’re going to meet someone new in life,” Nancy Goerne said. “To meet someone and to share interests, it’s really great.”

This fall, Goerne began his first semester at St. John’s University in Collegeville. Both as a student and as a member of the Johnnies’ men’s soccer program, he’ll have his hands full balancing school and athletics as a freshman.

Still, he said he is already looking ahead to the summer. It’s his plan to return to Edina and help coach with Special Olympics, and possibly collect more gold hardware with Gardebring.

The sport, and the friendship, is something the two will always share.

“It turns out you build that friendship with you and the coaches and the other players,” Goerne said. “Then it turns into, ‘Wow, I can’t wait until next week to go hang out with them again.”