‘It’s very much appreciated’: blind golf ambassador recognized for volunteer work

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But it wasn’t his accomplishments that named him one of the recipients for the 2025 Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal. It was all his work behind the scenes, planning, organizing and hosting tournaments since he began as a blind golfer in 1991. 

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“I’ve been really trying to grow the game of blind golf and at every level, provincial, national, international. It’s just something that really became my life after I lost my eyesight and I just stuck with it,” Nelson said. 

He recalls the first time he stepped onto a course after losing his vision – facing the challenge of relearning a game he once believed was as simple as striking a ball.  

“It was the coolest thing that I think has ever happened to me. When I hit the first ball that I hit well, it was like a feeling I’ve never had. It was just amazing; it made me feel like I was on top of the world, and I could do anything.” 

This passion has stuck with him through the years of mentoring and creating opportunities for golfers just like himself.  

“I’ve just been trying to get people into blind golf that have recently lost their sight and just anything that I can do to help out people with low vision. I know what blind golf did for me and I would like to pass that on to people who are newly visually impaired,” he said. 

At first, the medal took Nelson by surprise. As the recognition settled in, that surprise gave way to a deep sense of honour.  

Although he still doesn’t know who nominated him, if given the chance, he would say:  

“Thank you for recognizing what we do. It’s not only me alone, there’s lots of other people that are deserving of this award. But just the fact that somebody stands back and takes notice of your efforts, it’s very much appreciated.” 

The Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal was created in 1995 to honour the work of volunteers across the province. Since then, 286 people have received this award. This year’s recipients will be presented with their medals during a ceremony at the Government House in Regina on April 21, as part of National Volunteer Week.  

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com