Johnny Vilardo, a Special Olympics athlete from Clermont County, qualified for the Summer National Special Olympics in Princeton New Jersey to be held on June 14, 2014.
Vilardo qualified by virtue of his 44 at the Mill Golf Course in Winton Woods on Sept. 18 during the Special Olympics State Championships.
Johnny, along with his brother and caddie, Tom Vilardo, brought home a gold medal for first place.
Johnny was one of 68 Special Olympic Athletes from Ohio to be selected to compete at the national level next summer.
“I’m really glad I got that birdie on 15,” Johnny said of his round.
The national tournament will take place at Mercer Oaks, The course, which is open year-round weather permitting, offers two golf courses, the East and West Courses.
The National Special Olympics offer five levels of golf at the event, ranging from skills competitions to 9-hole and 18-hole individual and team competitions.