As a member of the gold team representing the United States, John Espinoza won the bronze medal at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Ireland, June 2003 John was invited to light the torch for the Opening Ceremonies at the Shopko Celebrity Golf Classic (Special Olympics Golf Benefit) in Green Bay, Wisconsin in August, 2003. As of 2003, John had won two gold medals for golf at the State Summer Games in Missoula, Montana, May of 2003. To date, John has won 9 gold medals in the Montana State Special Olympic Games. James Peacocks's article John's Golf Course, which appeared in the May 2001 issue of GCSAA Magazine, won the Leo Fraser Award for "story of the year." Steve and John were among the 9 finalists nominated by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America for 2003 "Superintendent of the Year," an award that recognizes superintendents who exemplify the knowledge, skills and dedication that symbolize the best of the golf superintendent profession. People Magazine attended the John's Golf Course 6th Annual Tournament in 2003 as part of the story they did on the Espinozas and John's Golf Course which appeared in the October 27, 2003 issue. A dream came true for John when he was invited to (and attended) The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia in August 2005. John's Golf Course hosted it's 8th Annual Tournament in July 2005.  In attendance was HBO Sports who did a segment on the story. Also covering the story in 2005 were Sports Illustrated (the article came out in the September issue) and NBC's The Today Show (the story was featured on the show in August.