Paul Ray has a new handicap, and his family is thrilled about it. The handicap in question is an official golf handicap. Mr Ray had to get one so that he could play golf in the Special Olympics.Mr Ray, 54, has Down’s syndrome which is a chromosomal disorder that results in mild to severe learning disabilities and physical differences such as an extra fold of skin under the eyes.He has previously competed in Special Olympic events in horseback riding, but this will be his first time taking part in the Professional Golfers (PGA) 12th Annual Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament.“Golf is his passion,” said his sister Donna Pink. “He has been playing since he was 16 years old, and is a member of the Ocean View Golf Club. He really admires PGA golfer Freddie Couples whose nickname is ‘Boom Boom’. As a result everyone who knows Paul calls Paul ‘Boom Boom’. His original coach was Edwin Jackson. Mr Jackson has now retired, but he has been helping Paul to get ready.”The tournament is in Port St Lucie, Florida next Friday, September 23. There are five levels in the tournament, and Mr Ray will be playing in level four, which is a nine-hole competition spread over three days.“This tournament is designed to give golfers with mental and/or physical challenges from all across North America [including Bermuda] an opportunity to compete under tournament conditions,” said Ms Pink. “It allows them to experience the same benefits and enjoyment that golfers realise when competing. It provides a test of their skill ability to apply the rules of golf and standards in a competitive forum.”In order to compete, Mr Ray had to join the Bermuda Golfers Association, and he had to have a golf handicap. A handicap is a numerical measure of an amateur golfer’s playing ability based on the tees played for a given course. It is used to calculate a net score from the number of strokes actually played, allowing players of different proficiency to play against each other on somewhat equal terms. The higher the handicap of a player, the poorer the player is relative to those with lower handicaps. Since he had always just played for fun, without scoring, this proved to be a challenge.“We got the help of Brian Morris, golf professional at Ocean View, and Paul’s cousin,” said Ms Pink. “Mr Jackson also helped. They have been taking him around, practising and playing games at the Port Royal Golf Course, Ocean View and Fairmont Southampton hotel, to try and get a score. He had to have at least six games registered in the system. From that they worked out the handicap. It was a bit difficult because the weather kept messing us up.”They determined that his handicap is 23. Mr Morris said he is impressed by how consistent Mr Ray is when playing golf.“I think he is a good player,” said Mr Morris. “He is not an aggressive player so he doesn’t really swing at the ball, but that comes from his love for Freddie Couples, who is known as the smoothest player. Paul probably hasn’t lost a golf ball in years because he hits it straight every time. And he can putt as good as any golfer.”Mr Ray’s father, the late William (Cheese) Ray, built a putting green for him at home. He practises on it every day.“He should do well,” said Mr Morris. “I don’t know what his competition will be like. He will shoot the same every time because he does the same thing over and over. To be honest, the eight, ten, and 12 handicap players can’t be as repetitive as he can. He hits it straight. He gets on the green, two putts and it is gone. Golf is all about doing the same thing. The smallest little mistake and you can hit the ball all over the place.”Said Ms Pink: “Quite frankly, it doesn’t matter how he does. It is about the fact that he needs these sort of things to keep him motivated. Losing our father was very hard on Paul.”Mr Ray’s father died six years ago. He will be carrying his father’s tobacco pouch with him for good luck.A team of people will be travelling with him to the games his three sisters, Sharon Davis, Donna Pink and Carol Culver as well as Ann Lindroth coordinator for the National Office of Seniors and the Physically Challenged. Dana Rodrigues will attend as his assistant, and his brother-in-law Scott Culver as his caddie.When you ask Mr Ray if he is excited about playing in the tournament he says: “Well, my sisters are very excited.”“He’s excited,” said Ms Pink with a laugh. “Very excited.”