PHOENIX — Special Olympics Arizona is one of the five local charities that benefit from ABC15's annual Operation Santa Claus.
Since 1975, the organization has provided a safe and supportive space for people of all abilities and ages to learn and compete in a wide variety of sports.
One of them is golf.
We tagged along for practice at Dobson Ranch Golf Course in Mesa and asked Special Olympics Arizona athlete Will Horton what he's hoping for.
"Well, I've been hoping for having fun and playing my best," answered Horton.
For the past five years, Horton has only had great days on the greens.
We asked Horton what he felt when he hit a hole-in-one.
"That made me feel, like I feel like pretty good with it," said Horton.
It's a sentiment Kristen Amberson, another athlete, agrees with, especially since she's paired up with her favorite golf partner.
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"She’s a mentor, a visionary, and a true community hero! Dr. Velma Trayham is a self-made entrepreneur and calls poverty a state of mind! I can't wait to watch her shine even more light on programs that support underrepresented communities to help move Arizona's economy forward."
"My mom is the best partner in the world," said Amberson.
The dynamic duo even won gold at a Special Olympics tournament.
"It took us 10 years," said Amberson's mom, Barbara, when asked what it felt like to win the gold.
"It was exciting and my anxiety was going," laughed Amberson.
Amberson and Horton are two of the more than 21,000 athletes who are part of Special Olympics Arizona. It's an organization where every single person is accepted and welcomed regardless of their ability or disability.
Pete Celmer, a coach with Special Olympics Arizona, tells us he sees the organization's value firsthand as they allow every participant to explore their capabilities while being surrounded by encouragement.
"You teach them and you go along and then you grow with them and you learn as much as they do, and then when the time comes and they're up they're, number one on the podium. It's an excellent feeling," said Celmer.
For more information on Special Olympics Arizona and the other charities that benefit from Operation Santa Claus, click here.
