Attending Queensland's largest inclusive golfing program is the highlight of Bailey Smaldon's week.
It's also where he gets to see his best friend, Cam Wessling.
"Cam is just beautiful, he's so funny, we just hang out together and we are always going out somewhere like golf, swim, movies, pinball," Mr Smaldon said.
"I like golf here — it's so fun."
For the past six years, the 19-year-old has been attending a Sunshine Coast golfing program designed to connect and teach new skills to people with intellectual disabilities.
"He's the most kind hearted wonderful boy I've ever met," Cam Wessling said.
"I like doing the big swing and sometimes we play around and get a hole in one."
Carer Riki Gerhardt said the Special Olympics program was Mr Smaldon's biggest social outlet, but there were other benefits too.
"It's been phenomenal, just with his movement," Mr Gerhardt said.
"He's only got vision in one eye and he has an issue with balance and walking, like if there's a lift or something.
"Now, he can just walk, look at it, assess it and just go up with any issues."
Bridging the gap
The Special Olympics is a year-round, multi-sports program for people with intellectual disabilities run by Golf Programs Australia Incorporated.
Mr Gerhardt said the weekly program allowed Mr Smaldon to participate in the community.
"[Without it] he'd just be at home playing games … not learning any skills or building any confidence or improving his skills," Mr Gerhardt said.
Golf Programs Australia Incorporated president Darrell Dalton, who is also a Professional Golfers' Association member, said the program had been popular since it began in 2014.
"Our first program, we thought we might get one or two but we attracted 18 participants and we've grown to over 40 participants on a weekly program," Mr Dalton said.
"Once you begin meeting the parents and understanding the big gaps from high school when they graduate, many of their friends in the mainstream move on to university and other jobs.
"Whereas [for] the person with intellectual disability, there's really not much for them to move on to.
"We really have offered that gap where they can participate as soon as they come from school."
After a participant-led warm up, the golfers play an ambrose format.
"We take the best ball so no one misses out in the game and everyone participates right to the very end," he said.
Participants have a range of intellectual and physical disabilities.
"When some people have come, some of the parents say, 'My son or daughter can't play golf, have you seen their motor skills,'" he said.
"I've worked with them independently away from the course on the individual specific needs and we work out a way to move the ball forward.
"It's been amazing just the development of our participants in many areas.
"It doesn't have to be a fantastic golf swing but it's driving inclusion and we use the activity of golf to do that."
The organisation is fundraising to expand the program by building a purpose-built golf facility with an associated hospitality business, which would employ people with intellectual disabilities.
In the past year the organisation has raised more than $38,000 towards their $12 million goal.
'See ball, hit ball'
Caitlin Larson is hoping to compete at Special Olympics competitions across the nation.
"I just like coming and hanging out with all my friends and learning different skills from Darrell and making sure my golf is in progress … if I get better at it, I can go out on more golf tours," Ms Larson said.
She said her training had also helped her develop coping strategies to use when she experienced complications from her disability.
"For me, sometimes I struggle with what I've got, especially when I'm trying to read and write but I'm finding it a lot easier now," she said.
"I've just learned to say 'Focus, see ball, hit ball' and make sure I do a better job at that and make sure I have good posture and just nice, easy back and through."
