Blind golf in Australia is gaining momentum as we head toward the ISPS Handa World Blind Golf Championships in Japan in November.
Nine Australians will compete in the ISPS HANDA World Blind Championships across three sight classifications.
Blind Golf Australia director Geoff Walsh is hopeful of another great showing after Australians took out the two major championship categories when the championship was last held in 2014 at Nelson Bay, New South Wales.
“We have had an extensive tournament season in the lead-up to the world championships,” Walsh said.
The tournament season kicked into top gear recently with the inaugural Queensland Open followed by the WA Open, the ISPS HANDA Australian Blind Open and NSW Open to close out preparations before the Australian team heads to Japan.
And it won’t stop there; the major tournament schedule continues to grow with six events locked away for 2017.
While the tournament schedule continues to grow, Blind Golf Australia would love to see more players competing in its events.
The introduction of the PGA and Golf Australia ISPS Handa accreditation in blind and disabled golf coaching is having an impact, bringing more players to the game.
Accredited coach and PGA member Kate Dunn hosted the first come-and-try clinic at the Queensland Open, resulting in several new golfers joining Blind Golf Queensland.
GA national inclusion manager Christian Hamilton runs the ISPS HANDA accreditation program and is pleased with the impact the program is having.
“We have developed a great workforce of accredited coaches which continues to grow,” Hamilton said.
“It’s associations like Blind Golf Australia that are a huge link supporting golfers that come through development programs with events, competitions and major tournaments.”
For tournament results and further information about Blind Golf Australia, head to www.blindgolf.com.au or contact either Doug Sloan at sloany50@bigpond.com or Geoff Walsh at jangeoff@bigpond.com via email.