Gracie Taylor • Clay County Progress Front, John Riley; back, from left, Kurtis Green, Judy Jennings, Local Special Olympics Coordinator for Clay County, Daniel George and Connor Pullum, Golf Coach
By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
John Riley. Remember the name.
“I want to be a professional golfer someday,” says Riley, a 42-year-old Clay County resident who’s been playing golf for exactly two months.
A lofty goal, for sure, but don’t tell Riley it’s unrealistic. Riley aims high and often hits the target.
“I’m pretty sure about this. I will,” he says emphatically. “I want people to say, ‘That’s John Riley. There he is.’ I want to be special.”
Riley may not realize it, but he’s already special, a 4-foot-10 inch Hercules who dead-lifted 220 pounds and bench pressed 198 at the 2024 Special Olympics Southeast U.S. Power-lifting Invitational.
Those lifts earned Riley silver and bronze medals when he lived in Florida.
Riley would love to add to his medal collection now that he lives in Hayesville, but that’s on hold until Clay County finds a volunteer willing to get certified as a powerlifting coach by Special Olympics North Carolina.
He’s not the only local athlete hoping a coach will appear to help them reach their potential in a sport they want to compete in.
“John is looking for a powerlifting coach,” says Clay County Special Olympics Local Coordinator Judy Jennings. “We also have a young lad who wants to play tennis, another who wants to do bowling and one who wants to play basketball. If anyone wants to get certified, we can help.”
While Riley waits to resume powerlifting, he’s honing his golf game at Chatuge Shores Golf Course with help from 18-year-old Connor Pullum.
“Miss Jennings asked me to coach and I said, ‘OK, why not?’” Connor recalled. “I just thought it would be fun to do it. I love the game of golf and wanted to share my love of golf with others.”
Riley and teammates Curtis and Daniel, who Jennings describes as “chomping at the bit to play golf,” are extremely grateful Pullum agreed to volunteer.
Pullum says the small amount of time needed to get certified was well worth the effort.
That’s right, becoming a certified coach is a piece of cake.
“Special Olympics North Carolina has certification schools. It’s usually one day in personal training and about two more hours, if that, of online training, like a webinar,” says Jennings, who’s been volunteering with Special Olympics for 36 years. “There’s no monetary commitment. Special Olympics covers the cost of certification.”
Sounds easy enough, but isn’t coaching time consuming?
“I think people are afraid that a lot of time is involved, but Special Olympics is a short season, you’re looking at eight or nine weeks,” says Riley’s mother Aurellia Riley. “Coaches set their own schedules for practices.”
Pullum volunteers about two hours once a week — 45 minutes for putting and chipping and an hour at the driving range.
“It’s just as fun as I thought it would be,” Pullum said. They are appreciative of me. They love being told what to do. I’d say it’s been a life-changing experience.”
Just ask Clay County’s other certified coaches — Jennings, Misty Davenport and Lauren Dilts.
“Life-changing” is an oft-used expression among Special Olympics volunteers.
“I think it’s life changing,” Aurellia says. “Coaches develop special relationships with athletes. I think they walk away with a little more than the athletes. You’re dealing one-on-one with people who only see good in everything. Special Olympics is about helping each other, everyone wanting everyone to do well.”
More than 25 Clay County athletes are enjoying comradery and competition through Special Olympics.
“We’ve had students from Hayesville High School, Hayesville Middle School, Hayesville Elementary and adults from Clay County compete in the spring games,” Jennings said.
Next week, a contingent of local Special Olympics athletes will compete in running, softball throw and tennis ball throw in Raleigh. High school students Will Brown and Damien Villareal will act as chaperons and assistants.
Those students will surely have an unforgettable weekend.
“Being involved in Special Olympics definitely impacts the way you look at life. I wish more people would come out to help. You don’t have to coach, just come out and support the athletes,” Aurellia said.
The competitors are certainly worthy of support.
“John has been involved in Special Olympics since he was 13 or 14,” Auriellia stated. “Whatever sport he’s in, he’s into it 100 percent. He doesn’t know he’s 4-foot-10. It’s wonderful to see the confidence and self-esteem of athletes grow as they receive recognition.”
So who’s to say John Riley can’t also make his mark as a golfer? Not Jennings. “John truly is an athlete,” she says.
She’ll get no argument from Connor. “He’s a great athlete,” Pullum says.