Entering the final round four strokes behind, Chris Lauzon knew he had work to do.

At the North American Special Olympics (NASO) golf tournament held in Wichita, Kansas, Lauzon shot a final-round 62 over nine holes to win the event by five shots.

“The second day was my bad day (68 points) because of the strong wind and I couldn’t knock down my shots,” Lauzon said.

“Thursday was a reset day and I had a great finish.”

Special Olympics coach Todd DeSilva accompanied Lauzon and served as his assistant throughout the three-day event.

“Chris really turned it around on the third and final day and threw one of his best rounds and the results speak for themselves,” DeSilva said.

Special Olympian Chris Lauzon, London, Ont. He won the gold medal at the North American Special Olympics golf tournament held in Wichita, Kansas, on November 3, 2024, by shooting a total of 193 shots in three rounds. (Source: Todd DeSilva)

He previously beat four men in the Level Four tournament in South Carolina in 2015.

“Last time I went, I wasn’t the best,” Lauzon said.

“From that point on I would just train, get better and hope that one day I would come back to this tournament and get a better result.”

He did just that, scoring 193 points in three days.

“I was the head coach of his floor hockey team (London Blazers) that won the National Championship in Calgary, so I know how competitive he is,” DeSilva said.

“Seeing him complete in the individual sport, I’m extremely proud to see how he turned his game around, especially after the second day. “He was really disappointed after the second day, but being able to work with him to overcome those challenges is very satisfying for me as a coach to see him succeed. “

He was unaware he had won despite his impressive 62 as he went into the final round four points behind.

DeSilva took the opportunity to have some fun with him.

“Todd called and said they had released the result and ‘you might not like the result,'” Lauzon said.

“He already knew the consequences and was just joking. “When I came to the board, I had the biggest smile because he accepted the joke.”

when it comes London Blazers hockey teamThis week they were named the Ontario Special Olympics ‘Team of the Year’.

London Blazers Floor Hockey Team named 2024 Special Olympics Ontario Team of the Year (Source: Torch Run London)

“We were finalists for team of the year in Canada. Unfortunately, we lost to a curling team, but in that regard, just being recognized as one of the best teams in Canada is a great honor,” DeSilva said.

“I’m proud of both of those accomplishments, super proud of the guys.”

Lauzon won individual and team gold medals at major events this year.

“I think 2024 is a great sports year for me,” Lauzon said.