Career Highlights:
- First person with Down syndrome to play in the Arizona High School Girls Golf Division I State Championship
- First person with Down syndrome to receive a collegiate athletic scholarship
- Keynote speaker at the National Down Syndrome Congress Annual Convention in 2019
- Competed at the 2021 NJCAA Women’s Golf Championship and became the first person with Down syndrome to compete in a national college championship
- Recipient of Paradise Valley Community College’s Golden Puma Distinguished Leadership Award
- Named one of two inaugural recipients of the Champion Award by the NJCAA Foundation (2021)
- Silver Medalist at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games
- Competed in the Inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open (2022)
- Scheduled to compete in the 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open
- Representing Special Olympics USA at the Special Olympics World Games, June 17-25, 2023
Personal Info:
Born: Fort Wayne, IN
Residence: Phoenix, AZ
College: Paradise Valley Community College
Hobbies: Theatre, dance, piano, soccer, cheer
Bio:
Amy first made history by becoming the first person with Down syndrome to play in the Arizona High School Girls Golf Division I State Championship. She went on to become the first person with Down syndrome to receive a collegiate athletic scholarship, and, in 2021, she made history yet again by becoming the first person with Down syndrome to compete in a national collegiate championship.
In 2022, Amy earned a silver medal at the Special Olympics USA Games and competed in the Inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open a month later. She will compete in the 2023 Special Olympics World Games and 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open in July as well.
Amy’s natural talent, charisma and determination have torn down barriers and opened incredible doors for her as she advocates for inclusion for people with disabilities. Rhonda Rice of the National Down Syndrome Congress said of Amy, "Here is an example of a young lady with Down syndrome and look at everything she's accomplished. Amy is an example of inclusion. Just give her the chance.”
I Got This Foundation:
As a representative of Special Olympics Arizona, Amy was invited to play the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale with Gary
Woodland during the practice round at the 2019 WM Phoenix Open. After hitting her tee shot into a greenside bunker, she parred the hole in front of a roaring crowd, confidently stating, “I got this!” The video capturing that moment has over 60 million views and is the most watched video in PGA TOUR history. "I’ve been blessed to do a lot of cool things on the golf course but that is, by far, the coolest thing I’ve ever experienced,” said Woodland.
Amy and her family later launched the I Got This Foundation. Their mission is to promote golf instruction and playing opportunities for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. Amy continues to demonstrate to the world what a determined athlete with self-confidence and a positive attitude can achieve.
Sponsors:
XXIO
Tail Activewear
LVM Systems