More than 400 middle school students from 10 Davis District schools participated in the Unified Golf Field Day on May 16. The event, sponsored by the Davis Education Foundation and the Rich Day Group at Valley View golf course in Layton, helped students learn fundamentals about golf and promoted a spirit of inclusion and camaraderie.

“Local golfers helped teach the kids pitching, driving and putting,” said Scott Foster, the marketing coordinator for the Foundation. “This is the first time we’ve done a golf event, though other districts have used it in their unified sports programs in the past.”

He said the program encourages middle school students, both with and without disabilities, to learn skills and foster friendships.

“It was just a lot of fun,” Foster said. “The kids come together and it’s great to see students that normally might not interact with each other get to know new friends. Hopefully, there will be friendships that will last for years to come.” 

The event was a clinic – students worked on the driving range, then chipped and putted as well, introducing themselves in many cases to a sport they weren’t familiar with or hadn’t played before.  “Unified Sports programs are crucial to building a community where all students feel valued and included,” DEF Director Jodi Lunt said. “We are proud to see such enthusiasm and participation from our students.”

The event was part of the broader “Show Up for Unified Sports” initiative championed by Utah First Lady Abby Cox and the Special Olympics of Utah. Foundation officials thanked Rich Day for its support and co-sponsorship of the program.

“Supporting the Unified Golf Field Day aligns perfectly with our vision of investing in the potential greatness of every child,” RDG founder Rich Day said in a statement.

This won’t be the last golf event for the Foundation, who intends to do it annually. 

“We’ve been doing Unified Sports for years,” Foster said. “Through the Foundation we’ve done soccer and basketball, and other Field Days, and we’re working to expand the program in any way we can, so we can introduce them to as many things as we can. This was just sort of a kickoff where we have these larger groups of students. Some of these kids will be invited back for a later tournament with smaller groups, and there will be clinics this summer. It’s such a positive thing for students.”