Blind golfers can play ‘just as good as anybody else’: local encourages others to give it a try

In July, the two Prince Albert golfers and more from all over the province competed in the Provincial Blind Golf Championships at Cooke for a chance to represent the province at the Western Blind Golf Championships.

Golfers are categorized into either B1, B2 or B3, with B1 featuring those golfers who are totally blind. B2 category players can see a little bit and B3 is for those who are less blind but cannot legally drive a vehicle.

The winners of the provincial championships were: B2 Judy Ursulan from Regina, B2 Robert Gentil-Perret from Prince Albert, B3 Josh Bailey from Regina, and B3 runner up was Curtis Parenteau from Prince Albert.

Interestingly, Ursulan’s first blind tournament was at Cooke Municipal back in 1983, & Parenteau’s grandfather helped build the beautiful course, according to Stella.

‘Praying he doesn’t go in the bush’

“B2 is what my husband is, He can see a little bit, but he has to bend down to find his ball,” Stella said. “I set him up and I tell him where his ball is. He bends down to find his ball and he swings, and he hopes he doesn’t miss.”

Once he hits it, she will find his ball and they’ll do it all over again. She explained a round of golf can take four to six hours to complete.

“It is very difficult, it’s very challenging for golfers and coaches and it’s a lot of fun because we’re a big family. Everybody helps everybody,” she explained adding those interested in joining can call Cooke Municipal Golf Course who will get you in touch with blind golfers. “The atmosphere is positive; fun is the main thing. That’s why I wanted to say any blind golfer is welcome.

“I point my husband in the direction I want him to go and hope and pray he doesn’t go in the bush.”

She explained Robert golfs kinetically, which means he goes by feel and sound. While he’s golfing, he will feel his club and the coach beside him explaining to him what to do.

“I line him up. He feels where I am and then he places his feet where he thinks the ball is and he shoots and tries to hit the ball,” she said. “And he’s amazing. He shoots like 220 yards.”

She explained it’s a team effort between she and her husband but she’s proud of him to go out and do something.

‘Pretend the ball is there’

Robert Gentil-Perret, 65, started playing golf five years ago after he was diagnosed with optic neuritis. He explained it’s fun, something to do, and a great way to meet new people. He tries to play at least once a week.

“It’s a sport where you can meet other people, and travel and have fun if you like golfing,” Robert said.

He explained the game is challenging for him as he has a hard time seeing the ball. He said he just swings and pretends the ball is there.

“You’re basically the same as someone who can see, you just don’t see the ball. We golf with totally blind people, and they can golf just as good as anybody else,” he said.

Robert said some fellow golfers can hit the ball as far as 350 yards, something he said he’s continuing to work on and improve at.

“Golf is always a game you’re working on all the time,” he said. “You always want to get better.”

For someone to get into blind golfing Robert said it’s important to find a guide you can trust and who can be there every time you golf. He said having his wife help him has worked out very well but even a neighbour or a friend would be beneficial. But you need to have the spare time.

“It’s a big job to go golfing because you have to organize both people and they both have to be ready to golf that day at that time and use up to four hours of their day,” he said.

The main sponsors for the recent provincial tournament were Jason MacAuley, CFP, RRC IG Wealth Management.

Others included Canadian Tire P. A.,Northern Lights Casino, Infinite Accounting & Tax Solutions, City of Prince Albert, Macdonald’s on Second Ave., P.A. Affinity Credit Union, Cornerstone Insurance, Jmcpl, MLA Joe Hargrave, MLA Alana Ross, Gray’s Funeral Home, SCFPA.

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Ian.Gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanGustafson12

by Ian Gustafson

Blind golfers can play ‘just as good as anybody else’: local encourages others to give it a try

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