Visually impaired golfers will hit the greens in Norfolk this summer to rekindle their love of the game and compete for a provincial title.
After its cancellation in 2021, The Canadian Blind Golf Open and the Ontario Blind Golf Provincial Championship will welcome back players from August 6 to 12 at the Greens At Renton.
The Ontario Visually Impaired Golfers charity organization will be sponsoring and hosting the event.
Simcoe resident Hugh Montgomery, vice president and volunteer committee chair for OVIG, said every province has its own blind golf organization with each area having its own championships. All organizations are members of Blind Golf Canada.
Blind golf follows similar rules to a regular game with the addition of the visually-impaired player having a coach that walks, rides and guides them through the course.
“It’s difficult for visually handicapped individuals to go to places, they have to rely on someone to help them,” said Montgomery. “We do get players from around the world and when this was held last time in 2019, we had players from Europe, Israel, South Africa, Mexico and South Korea.”
Montgomery said that he’s aiming to gather 45 to 50 players and 25 to 30 volunteers, as well as hoping for additional sponsors to help fund the two events which cost around $105,000.
“Funding comes from sponsorships and we are a charitable organization,” said Montgomery. “Anyone in the public that makes a donation, they will receive a charitable receipt.”
In addition to funds raised, each player also pays a $250 entry fee.
On Aug. 7, juniors with low vision or who are profoundly blind will be invited to freely participate on the driving range located at the Greens, where the event players will instruct and guide them giving the new golfers an insight to the game.
On the same day in the afternoon, para golfers will join the participating players in a practice scramble round.
“The big thing about golf is that it gets us outside. A lot of people who had good vision before started giving up the game when they lost it, we are trying to grow the sport,” said Montgomery.
“One of the mandates of OVIG and Blind Golf Canada’s is to show visually impaired individuals that they can still golf, it brings us together to experience the sport and enjoy it for the love the of the game.”
Organizers are still in need of volunteers for the August event. Those interested are asked to call Montgomery at 519-429-2933 or 519-993-5752.
OVIG is a registered charity and a member of Blind Golf Canada and the International Blind Golf Association. The organization is committed to bringing together players who are visually impaired to learn and play golf.
Blind Golf Canada is a non-profit organization led by volunteers who plan and develop tournaments for blind or partially-sighted players.