Amy Bockerstette of Phoenix, Arizona, has competed with Special Olympics since 2008, starting with bowling in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Since moving back to Phoenix, she has participated in golf, swimming and volleyball. She will represent Special Olympics USA in golf. Competing with Special Olympics has offered Amy many opportunities to build friendships and develop her skills in various sports, showcasing her abilities as an advocate for inclusion.
A former student-athlete at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, Amy is the first person with Down syndrome to receive an athletic scholarship to attend college and compete at the collegiate level. In school, she played golf on a full scholarship and studied dance. During a practice round with professional golfer Gary Woodland at the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open, Amy parred the iconic 16th hole. The video capturing that moment has over 51 million views. Later in 2019, Amy and her family established the I GOT THIS Foundation to promote golf instruction and playing opportunities for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. In May 2021, she became the first person with Down syndrome to compete in a national collegiate championship at the National Junior College Athletic Association Women’s Golf Championship.
In addition to golf, Amy performs with Imagine Theater Company, plays piano, and continues to dance. She attends golf lessons several times a week in preparation to demonstrate her skills on an international stage at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.