Yukon golfer to “Keep Playing Golf and have fun”

Tijana McCarthy is one of the 37 athletes, coaches and mission staff that has been representing Team Yukon at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games Medicine Hat 2026, and the only golfer from the territory.

At 29 years of age, McCarthy has competed in both Winter and Summer Games. Her personal best was a silver medal in figure skating at the Special Olympics World Games in Austria in 2017. In her 18 years of golf experience, McCarthy’s accolades include the Premier’s Award of Sport Excellence 2022-2023, and a fifth place finish in her division at the 2023 World Games in Berlin.

Although the weather has included everything from overcast, to fog, to rain, it did not put a damper on the competition. McCarthy’s coach Bea Pilatzke-Vanier said the final round was the best of the week.

“The round was perfection,” said Pilatzke-Vanier. “All three girls in our group kicked absolute butt. They all played so well – tons of smiles – a really good vibe.”

Pilatzke-Vanier gave a lot of credit to McCarthy for her ability to recover when things didn’t go to plan.

“She’s been absolutely elastic – she just bounces back,” said the coach. “She went in the sand, for the first time this entire week, and she popped it right out – sunk the putt. There were so many times where she came back even stronger.”

For McCarthy, these Games have been highlighted by an opportunity to rekindle friendships from past events. Her coach, beaming with pride, mentioned McCarthy’s interactions as a personal favourite moment.

“Coming here and seeing what an impact this amazing young woman has made on other people, it touches you in a way that you didn’t think you needed,” said Pilatzke-Vanier. “People remember her laugh. People remember her dance moves. So, it’s been really special for me to see that.”

Already with tons of experience behind her, McCarthy now has her eyes on the future. When her coach asked, the Yukon athlete confirmed her plans: “Keep playing golf and have fun!”

For more information about the Games in Medicine Hat, including photos from the week, visit the website: socmedhat2026.ca

— story by Katie and Karen Franchetto, Special Olympics Canada Summer Games