Sight loss won't keep them off the links.

The old golfing adage of "keeping your eye on the ball" doesn't apply to all players of the centuries-old sport.

There is an untapped following of visually challenged golf players busting that stereotype every year and its numbers are growing.

Retired Sudbury sports reporter Peter Desilets says there is a misconception out there about blind people's inability to play golf.

"In actual fact, just to get a feel for putting or your swing, some teachers will blindfold the student," he says.

At age 39, Desilets was diagnosed with glaucoma, which normally affects people in their early 50s. His vision has been gradually degenerating. At age 55, he functions mostly with his left eye, requires magnifiers to read and has difficulty making out detail at distances and adjusting to the dark. His depth of field is also affected, but it doesn't keep him off the greens.

"I can still tee up a ball," he says.

Last summer he played about 50 rounds with some help from his friends. Desilets also chairs the annual Soctiabank Group CNIB Golf Tournament, which will take place on July 14 at Forest Ridge Golf course in Sudbury.

Blind golfing associations exist worldwide and offer tournaments internationally, nationally, and provincially.

The Ontario Visually Impaired Golfers (OVIG) is a provincial non-profit organization for people with visual impairments who are interested in learning and/or playing golf. It has been operating since 1990, arranging and subsidizing special instructional time and opportunities to play for its members. Last year's membership was 43, up from 20 the previous year.

Current OVIG president Jim Hamilton says their mandate is to bring the game of golf to Ontario residents who are legally blind.

"We try to provide as many opportunities for people to try to play golf," he says.

The membership fee is $20 per year, which offers free tournaments and other golf events. With an operating cost per member of approximately $550, OVIG relies on donations. Also, it holds an annual corporate fundraising golf event known as the Collin Kressler Charity Golf Tournament, sponsored by Markham's End to End Network Inc. This year it will occur on July 27 at the Cardinal Golf Club in Kettleby on Highway 9, east of Highway 400.

OVIG's only requirement to play is to hold a valid CNIB client card. However, to play in national or international tournaments, there are three sight categories:

* B1 is no sight up to light perception;

* B2 is sight up to six per cent vision; and

* B3 is sight from six per cent up to 10 per cent vision, the legal maximum, Hamilton says.

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The rules for blind golfers are the same with two exceptions. A visually challenged golfer is allowed to have a coach or sighted person accompany him/her to assist in getting set up to hit the ball and may use voice commands to assist with direction. They are also allowed to "ground" their club in a sand trap. Members' handicaps are determined using the same system as is used by the IBGA (International Blind Golfers Association), according to the IBGA website.

Coaches usually play for free, and can be friends, relatives or anyone interested. Hamilton is recruiting more coaches, and explains it is helpful when they know the game and are competent at judging distances.

Hamilton, who is now completely blind, has been playing golf since he was a junior. He thoroughly enjoys the sport and has surprised many a sighted player with his skills.

"Golf is important for me," he says. "It gets me out, keeps me active and gives me a strong sense of purpose."

He is quite eager to encourage other visually challenged people to join, especially those who may have given up the sport because of their impairment.

OVIG will be sponsoring 14 events this year, with some occurring on the same day.

The majority of events are held in southern Ontario, but Hamilton would like to get the word out to Northern golf courses and players to increase awareness. He is also looking for courses that would give blind golfers two-for-one discounts so the coaches can play for free.

www.ontarioblindgolf.ca

By ADELLE LARMOUR

Northern Ontario Business