By Bryan Boggiano
After Sports Illustrated highlighted Coral Springs resident Carter Bonas as their 2022 SportsKid of the Year, the city commission honored him for his golf, business, and motivational speaking achievements.
Sports Illustrated announced Bonas as their SportsKid of the Year on Nov. 23, 2022.
Bonas was diagnosed with high-functioning Asperger’s Syndrome, a communication disability on the autism spectrum, when he was four and began playing golf to help relax and manage his emotions.
When he was ten, he started a clothing line, Spectrum Golf, which offers sensory-friendly apparel and autism-themed golf gear, according to city documents.
Bonas is also a motivational speaker, speaking to students and adults about overcoming adversity.
In his remarks on Feb. 1, Mayor Scott Brook said even though Carter is only 11, he has the maturity of a 35-year-old and the wisdom of somebody who is 55.
“We know you’ll make a huge impact not just here but well beyond here,” he said.
Commissioner Joshua Simmons stated Bonas is the best golfer he has met.
“He’s really good; he’s not digging up dirt like me,” Simmons said.
Simmons also spoke highly about Bonas’s character. When his family organized a celebration at Coral Springs Country Club to recognize Bonas’s SportsKid honor in January, he taught kids how to golf while everybody else was celebrating.
“This is an amazing kid. I’m so happy to recognize Carter,” Simmons said. “The fact that we have someone so special here in the city of Coral Springs is phenomenal.”
He concluded his remarks by calling Bonas a role model.
“I want to thank you for everything that you’re doing for yourself, for your community, for people that are going to look up to you as they get older,” Simmons said.
In his remarks, Bonas thanked everyone who supported him for being with him throughout his journey.
“I definitely wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the support,” he said.
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