Blind Golf Tournament Action
Recently, The International Blind Golf Association held its annual blind golf tournament in Columbus, Georgia, and was a tremendous success. Fifty blind and visually
impaired golfers, from eight participating countries, battled it out for worldwide recognition and for a charitable contribution that will go back to the winning country, to be used to promote golf to the blind and visually impaired. The IBGA is the governing and sanctioning body of blind golf events worldwide.
The three-day event included a blind-am tournament and a two-day competitive golf tournament played on two of Georgia’s most pristine private golf courses, Green Island Country Club and Maple Ridge Golf Course. A 9-hole nighttime tournament raised awareness and funds for the charities and organizations that support the visually impaired.
The night tournament was played with lighted golf balls, light sticks along the fairways, and light sticks placed in each hole. The only difference between day golf and night golf is that the night balls only travel about half the distance as do the balls used during the day, but otherwise all
the rules are the same.
There are three levels of blindness for tournament participation:
B1 = Totally blind, no sight at all, to n
ot being able to recognize the shape of an object, and participants must play with a blindfold on.
B2= Ranges from B 1 to about 5% of sight.
B3= From B 2 to less than 6 to 60 on the Snellen chart forblindness.
The SwingRite company, which has a golf training aid that teaches with a clicking sound, was one of the main sponsors for the event. SwingRites were given as a gift to all of the winners in the eightdifferentcategories. DavidBlyth,newlyelectedpresidentof the United States Blind Golfers Association, said, “The SwingRite training aid is perfect for the visually impaired, because it teaches by sound and not by sight, and is so easy to use.”
Blyth also said that the USBGA is always looking for both coaches and teachers to help with the event. If you would like to attend an event, please contact the IBGA at www. InternationalBlindGolf.com.
