Local golfer Michael Daniels is heading to the national stage. The Goodyear resident has been selected to join more than 120 athletes, coaches, and unified partners representing Team Arizona at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The weeklong national competition, which mirrors the four-year cycle of the traditional Olympic Games, will run from June 20-26. The event is slated to bring together 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches and an estimated 75,000 fans at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center.
Daniels, a member of the Goodyear Roadrunners delegation, will compete in Level 4 traditional golf. At the Special Olympics, Daniels and other athletes are broken up into levels of play, adjusted for the player's needs. Level 4 traditional golf is the second most intensive section where he will play nine holes independently.
