2025 Utah Open Special Olympics Short Game Golf Challenge highlights best of sports | News, Sports, Jobs

What would bring a famous former pro baseball player and a 17-year-old with his own YouTube Channel together on a golf course?

That’s the beauty of the Special Olympics Short Game Golf Challenge, a chip-and-putt competition which was held Monday as part of the 2025 Utah Open at Riverside Country Club in Provo.

Participants included Former baseball star Dale Murphy and Special Olympian Braxton Barry of South Jordan, neither of whom had been a part of the event before but both whom enjoyed the experience.

“There’s something about participating and competing,” Murphy said after the event. “We all like that part of our lives. We all like sports but when special-needs kids and families participate, it’s really special to be a part of that.”

Barry may not have Murphy’s celebrity status yet but he doesn’t lack in confidence.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

Special Olympian athletes warm up before the 2025 Utah Open Special Olympics Short Game Golf Challenge at Riverside Country Club in Provo on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.

“I’m glad to be part of it,” Barry said. “This is a great opportunity. I’m proud to be playing. If anyone wants to play some golf, come on down.”

Barry has only been playing the sport for a few years. His mother, Nichol Barry, said she learned about the chance to sign Braxton up to play and decided to take advantage of it.

“He has a group of friends he’s been in school with since, like, kindergarten and the first year all his friends did it,” Nichol Barry said. “It was super fun. They do it at Glenmore golf course, which is beautiful in the evening. So it’s gorgeous and they have a great time It was great for him to get out and have a chance to do things they haven’t done.”

Braxton Barry said he enjoys the challenge that comes with the game.

“One thing I liked about is that it was fun,” Braxton Barry said.” It was very controlling, with how you get the ball in the hole.”

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

Former baseball star Dale Murphy talks with a Special Olympian athlete (left) and his dad before the 2025 Utah Open Special Olympics Short Game Golf Challenge at Riverside Country Club in Provo on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.

He referred to the movie, Happy Gilmore, and the excitement and frustration that is highlighted by Adam Sandler’s character as he tries to get the ball to go where it is supposed to go.

“The point is I like doing it and I’m glad my mom signed me up,” he said.

He said his favorite part is putting because it’s pretty straightforward. He admitted, though, that he wants to get a lot better at it.

“I need less strength and to hit it more soft and smooth,” Braxton Barry said. “It’s about getting it to go the right distance. Maybe I’ll get it right someday.”

He said that playing the challenge was different because there were a lot of people on the practice green (as well as Real Salt Lake mascot Leo the Lion and Utah Royals mascot Cleo the Lioness), including celebrities like Murphy and Utah First Lady Abby Cox.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

A marker sits at the start of the 2025 Utah Open Special Olympics Short Game Golf Challenge at Riverside Country Club in Provo on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.

“It was a lot today,” Braxton Barry said. “There were a lot of people, some I know and some I don’t. But I met a lot of people.”

Nichol Barry, who was there with her husband Jimmy to watch the event, said they enjoyed watching Braxton get to be a part of it all.

“It’s great that it’s something he can get involved in,” she said. “Anytime you can get him involved in something, it’s always a good experience and fun. I’m grateful that sometimes he has some additional opportunities that some other kids don’t.”

Murphy understands that sentiment. Although it’s been a little while, he and his family also have a great appreciation for the Special Olympics program.

“We were very involved when we were younger,” Murphy said. “We have a special-needs son, Travis, who participated. He’s kind of retired now from Special Olympics now but it’s a great program, great operation. What they do for the kids and the families is great.”

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

A Special Olympian athlete warm up before the 2025 Utah Open Special Olympics Short Game Golf Challenge at Riverside Country Club in Provo on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.

He smiled as he talked about joining his teammate, Rusty, to compete on the beautiful practice green at Riverside Country Club.

“Clearly, like a lot of amateurs, I need to work on my chipping and putting a lot more,” Murphy said. “If you want to be good, you need to be a good chipper and a good putter. But I had a blast.”

The 2025 Utah Open will have events all week with the official three-day tournament beginning on Friday. Special Olympians will help out throughout the week at the course and Special Olympics Utah will benefit from a donation from the event.

For more information on Special Olympics, go to https://sout.org. For complete details on the 2025 Utah Open, go to https://utahpga.com/utah-open.

Hats await the competitors at the 2025 Utah Open Special Olympics Short Game Golf Challenge at Riverside Country Club in Provo on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.

A Special Olympian athlete warm up before the 2025 Utah Open Special Olympics Short Game Golf Challenge at Riverside Country Club in Provo on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.