Each time I step up with my partner to compete in the 9-hole competition I feel like I can a new insight into life, sports and even myself.

The 2026 edition, which took place on Monday, was no exception.

The event takes place on the putting green and it was a pretty busy place for the contest. Not only did you have Special Olympians, their teammates, officials, family members and photographers but you also had five mascots from local teams there to share in the fun.

If you are like me, you have enough trouble putting when I’m standing alone on the green — even on a practice green.

Now imagine trying to line up a shot with Leo the Lion from Real Salt Lake lying on the grass, looking up at you from behind the hole, while Salt Lake Bees mascot Bumble and his friends Daysie and Jensen stare over your shoulder or pretend to trace your line in the grass.

All those eyeballs and added distractions could easily get in your head.

But not my friend Asher Madsen.

The 19-year-old from Herriman didn’t let any of the mascot antics or collective scrutiny bother him in the least. Instead, he seemed to thrive on it.

Hole after hole, he calmly stepped up and hit his putt with confidence. That meant all I had to do was follow his lead and we did pretty well.

Asher described his approach to putting by saying: “I just step up and do a practice swing. Then I just hit the ball and get it in the hole.”

We had put together a solid showing on the first seven holes, but Asher took it to a new level on No. 8, which was probably a 20-foot putt. He followed his routine, then let it roll — knocking it right into the middle of the cup.

“I liked the pressure,” he said. “I rolled it down and we got the hole-in-one. I’m proud of it. It was the first one I got.”

Asher’s father, Eric Madsen, got to enjoy the moment but said it wasn’t unexpected to see his son make that type of shot in that moment.

“It’s awesome to watch, but it’s not surprising because he thrives on attention,” Eric said. “He always is the center of attention anywhere he goes. Everyone’s always excited to see him. He’s got friends everywhere, and he loves that attention.”

That shot gave us the success we needed to tie for first place at the event and although we lost the tiebreaker, it was an honor to share that with Asher who absolutely deserved it.

I saw a young man out there who showed how to embrace the moment and make the most of it. He didn’t let distractions or complications impact how he was going to perform.

That’s a great lesson, one that we can all benefit from, coming from a young man who is a golf veteran of four or five years now.

“They had a Special Olympics event at Glenmore Golf Course when he was in eighth grade,” Eric said. “They bussed him over there and he got to try it out. He was just been a natural. We’ve been doing it ever since.”

I also think that if you ever get discourage with the state of the world, just go spend some time at a Special Olympics event. I think you’ll gain a new insight on just what life really is about.

“People always show up for me and give me high-fives and fist bumps and say, ‘good job, Asher!'” Asher said. “It’s so cool.”

Eric said he loves seeing how the program benefits both Asher and those who get involved.

“It’s great fun to watch him succeed and to see everyone celebrate his accomplishments,” Eric said. “It’s something that he can be proud of and share. It’s awesome to see all the people come together, letting these guys have a special time and a special celebration.”

The Special Olympics has long been involved with the Utah Open, helping out during the tournament week and making friends with the golfers as well as having their own competition.

The event sponsors regularly makes a donation to the Special Olympics, but I thought it was special to see it be upped to $100,000, in correlation with the 100-year anniversary of the tournament.

“The Short Game Challenge is a special tradition that brings athletes, community members and friends together to celebrate what is possible when everyone has the opportunity to participate, compete, and belong,” said Special Olympics Utah President and CEO Scott Weaver. “We are incredibly grateful to the Utah PGA and Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation for their continued partnership and generous support. This gift will help us continue our mission of creating meaningful opportunities for athletes to build confidence, develop skills and experience the power of inclusion.”

I hope Special Olympics Utah and the Utah Open continue to enjoy their partnership and that all of these great athletes continue to get more fun opportunities.

And I hope I get to come back next year for another timely lesson in the Short-Game Challenge.