captains day gala dinner
and
presentations
at
the royal Dublin g.c.
Once again The Royal Dublin G.C hosted our Captains Day, organised by founder member Paddy Higgins.
Eight golfers and their guides took to the links course in high winds and squally rain which resulted in the low scores returned.
Patrick Morgan Jr. coped with the wind and rain to take the captains prize with a
count back sore of 31 Pts. This years Order of Merit winner Ed Maguire came second with a score of 31 Pts. losing out on count back.
Joe Lonergan picked up two prizes, winning the front nine completion with a score of 18 Pts. and receiving the most improved golfer shield 2014.
Presentations were made to Rosin of Vision Sports Ireland and John Langan PGA coach.
I.B.G.S. takes this opportunity to thank Vision Sports Ireland for their continuing support throughout 2014 and also to thank our PGA coach for his time and patience as all who attended Leopardstown training improved their games immensely.
So finally all that remains is to thank supporters guides and sponsors for their support during 2014. and to wish all a Happy And Peaceful Christmas and a Prosperous New Year for 2015.
See Results Page For Scores
Eight golfers and their guides took to the links course in high winds and squally rain which resulted in the low scores returned.
Patrick Morgan Jr. coped with the wind and rain to take the captains prize with a
count back sore of 31 Pts. This years Order of Merit winner Ed Maguire came second with a score of 31 Pts. losing out on count back.
Joe Lonergan picked up two prizes, winning the front nine completion with a score of 18 Pts. and receiving the most improved golfer shield 2014.
Presentations were made to Rosin of Vision Sports Ireland and John Langan PGA coach.
I.B.G.S. takes this opportunity to thank Vision Sports Ireland for their continuing support throughout 2014 and also to thank our PGA coach for his time and patience as all who attended Leopardstown training improved their games immensely.
So finally all that remains is to thank supporters guides and sponsors for their support during 2014. and to wish all a Happy And Peaceful Christmas and a Prosperous New Year for 2015.
See Results Page For Scores
EIKESTADNUUS NUUS
27 November 2014 News
27 November 2014 News
Nicoleen Herholdt hands Wally Roode the The winner of the B2 category ( persons
winner of the B3 category for people who who only have 2 - 5 % vision ) Garrett
have 6 - 10 % vision , his tropht Slattery with Nicoleen Herholdt.
winner of the B3 category for people who who only have 2 - 5 % vision ) Garrett
have 6 - 10 % vision , his tropht Slattery with Nicoleen Herholdt.
PHOTOS : NIC REDELINGHUYS - THE PIXEL REVELATION
Blind Golfers in action at SA Open
The ISPS Handa South African Blind Golf Open concluded on Tuesday at the Stellenbosch
Golf Club. Local as well as international players competed for the SA title over 36.
The participants included the three SA golfers who have Protea Colours : Garrett Slattery
( the defending gross champion and current International Blind Golf B2 World Champion )
Leon Strydom ( the defending stableford champion ) and Johan Kotze ( the 2012 stableford winner ).
Ernst Conradie ( who performed well in the 2013 British Blind Open ) as well as the up and coming Manie Blom and Morne Els made up the local contingent. The competition was boosted by the presence of top Irish golfer Wally Roode , who played in his first SA Open event.
The ISPS Handa South African Blind Golf Open concluded on Tuesday at the Stellenbosch
Golf Club. Local as well as international players competed for the SA title over 36.
The participants included the three SA golfers who have Protea Colours : Garrett Slattery
( the defending gross champion and current International Blind Golf B2 World Champion )
Leon Strydom ( the defending stableford champion ) and Johan Kotze ( the 2012 stableford winner ).
Ernst Conradie ( who performed well in the 2013 British Blind Open ) as well as the up and coming Manie Blom and Morne Els made up the local contingent. The competition was boosted by the presence of top Irish golfer Wally Roode , who played in his first SA Open event.
british blind open 2015
Dear all,
Please find the link below to take you to our website for the British Blind
Open 2015. This will be constantly updated as more information is at hand.
Any queries, problems, please get in touch.
http://www.scottishblindgolf.com/kinross
Regards,
Robin Clayden, Secretary SBGS
2015 Open Team.
Leopardstown coaching
John Lonigan conducted the final of six coaching sessions this year at the Golf Center.
We greatly appreciate his patience, coaching skills, time and effort given to our society.
A big thank you to the Golf Center for supplying the practice balls free of charge.
See Photo Gallery For Slide Show
We greatly appreciate his patience, coaching skills, time and effort given to our society.
A big thank you to the Golf Center for supplying the practice balls free of charge.
See Photo Gallery For Slide Show
captains day
update
Due to severe inclement weather our captains day was cancelled and a new date has been arranged for the 18 th of December at the same times and venue.
We are very grateful to The Royal Dublin for supplying this new date.
We are very grateful to The Royal Dublin for supplying this new date.
captains day
Once again with our great appreciation Royal Dublin Golf Club one of Irelands oldest and greatest links courses will host our Captains Day event which will occur on Thursday 13 th of November.
A special thanks must go to Ian Corr and Paddy Higgens, members who make this all possible.
This final outing of the year will see the Order Of Merit winner emerge victorious.
A prize winners dinner with invited guests will follow in the club rooms hosted by
Walhem Roode our current captain.
Jacket and Tie for gentlemen please
A special thanks must go to Ian Corr and Paddy Higgens, members who make this all possible.
This final outing of the year will see the Order Of Merit winner emerge victorious.
A prize winners dinner with invited guests will follow in the club rooms hosted by
Walhem Roode our current captain.
Jacket and Tie for gentlemen please
hermitage golf outing
Once again the Hermitage Golf Club hosted our November outing which was
sponsored by Frank Murray brother of Jimmy a founder member of the society.
The society takes this opportunity to thank Frank for his great support over
the years.
A field of ten golfers did battle over the great parkland course that is the Hermitage.
The winning score was returned by Patrick Morgan junior scoring a fabulous 40 points
to take first place, second place went to Adrian Downey with 36 points and third to
Philip Bond with 32 points his highest finishing place since joining us this year.
Well Done Phil.
See Full Results on Results Page
And
Photo Gallery for Slide Show
sponsored by Frank Murray brother of Jimmy a founder member of the society.
The society takes this opportunity to thank Frank for his great support over
the years.
A field of ten golfers did battle over the great parkland course that is the Hermitage.
The winning score was returned by Patrick Morgan junior scoring a fabulous 40 points
to take first place, second place went to Adrian Downey with 36 points and third to
Philip Bond with 32 points his highest finishing place since joining us this year.
Well Done Phil.
See Full Results on Results Page
And
Photo Gallery for Slide Show
order of merit update
Ed Maguire put in a fantastic performance in the 5 th Italian Open in
Milan. His scores of 41 points and 35 points catapults him ahead of
defending champion Willem Roode to a season total of 124 points. Wally
remains in second place with 121 points, while Adrian Downey lurks in
third on 117 points. Adrian put in a great first round score in Milan
of 37 points to put himself in this position. There is a gap of 7 points
to the chasing bunch.
E. Maguire: 124
W. Roode: 121
A. Downey: 117
P. O'Rahilly: 110
P. Morgan: 109
J. Murray: 107
Milan. His scores of 41 points and 35 points catapults him ahead of
defending champion Willem Roode to a season total of 124 points. Wally
remains in second place with 121 points, while Adrian Downey lurks in
third on 117 points. Adrian put in a great first round score in Milan
of 37 points to put himself in this position. There is a gap of 7 points
to the chasing bunch.
E. Maguire: 124
W. Roode: 121
A. Downey: 117
P. O'Rahilly: 110
P. Morgan: 109
J. Murray: 107
ISPS HANDA 5 TH ITALIAN BLIND OPEN
I.B.G.S. Was represented in Italy by Paul O'Rahilly and guide John with Ed Maguire and guide Paul and Adrian Downey and guide Pat.
The trio successfully maintained a higher standard of stroke play over last years event, as a result ED Maguire won the B2 Class with a gross score of 201. Paul O'Rahilly achieved a gross score of 215 in B2 Class.
Adrian Downey returned a gross score of 224 in B3 Class.
All three players and their guides finished in the top 10 of the tournament with Ed bringing home first prize in the B2 Class.
Well done Ed.
See Results Page
And
Photo Gallery for slide show.
The trio successfully maintained a higher standard of stroke play over last years event, as a result ED Maguire won the B2 Class with a gross score of 201. Paul O'Rahilly achieved a gross score of 215 in B2 Class.
Adrian Downey returned a gross score of 224 in B3 Class.
All three players and their guides finished in the top 10 of the tournament with Ed bringing home first prize in the B2 Class.
Well done Ed.
See Results Page
And
Photo Gallery for slide show.
westmanstown outing
Ed.
Maguire took full advantage of an off form Willem Roode at
Westmanstown. Ed posted an excellent score of 38 points to close within three points of Roode who is currently leading with 121 points overall.
The rest of the field made no significant move to close on the two leaders and
is bunched up in the 103 to 110 range. Only Patrick Morgan Jnr moved up slightly with a creditable 32 points into fourth position.
Downey, Maguire and O'Rahilly are travelling to the 5 th. Italian Open in Milan on
thE 29 th. sept. representing I.B.G.S. The order of merit may look different
after their return.
A total of 23 players and guides will contest this
tournament. We wish our three representatives good luck and safe journey.Following
this there are only two remaining golf days, one in The Hermitage in October and the Captains Day, to determine if a new name will appear on the order of merit trophy.
this year
W. Roode: 121
E. Maguire: 118
A. Downey: 110
P. Morgan: 109
Hermitage outing.
Thursday 23 rd October
First tee 9.00 AM.
If buggy required please contact club
Phone -- 01 - 626 5396
Thursday 23 rd October
First tee 9.00 AM.
If buggy required please contact club
Phone -- 01 - 626 5396
winter training timetable at
leopardstown golf centre
SEPTEMBER
WEDNESDAY -- 3 RD & 17 TH @ 8 to 9 PM
OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY -- 1 ST & 15 TH @ 8 TO 9 PM
NOVEMBER
WEDNESDAY -- 5 TH & 19 TH @ 8 TO 9 PM
A 5 EURO CHARGE FOR PRACTICE BALLS WILL APPLY
TRANSPORT WILL NOT BE PROVIDED
JOHN LONAGAN P.G.A. COACH WILL ATTEND
WEDNESDAY -- 3 RD & 17 TH @ 8 to 9 PM
OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY -- 1 ST & 15 TH @ 8 TO 9 PM
NOVEMBER
WEDNESDAY -- 5 TH & 19 TH @ 8 TO 9 PM
A 5 EURO CHARGE FOR PRACTICE BALLS WILL APPLY
TRANSPORT WILL NOT BE PROVIDED
JOHN LONAGAN P.G.A. COACH WILL ATTEND
irish open championship
local sponsors
We at I.B.G.S. take
this opportunity to thank you for your generous sponsorship at this year’s
Irish Blind Open Championship which was held at
ROGANSTOWN GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB Swords.
Halpenny Golf
Inspired Sports
Jones Garden Centre
Swords Credit Union
Beech Tree Nursing Home
Clever Accounting
Ritchies Bike Store
Without your kind help the event would not have been the fabulous success it was.
Irish Blind Open Championship which was held at
ROGANSTOWN GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB Swords.
Halpenny Golf
Inspired Sports
Jones Garden Centre
Swords Credit Union
Beech Tree Nursing Home
Clever Accounting
Ritchies Bike Store
Without your kind help the event would not have been the fabulous success it was.
STACKSTOWN GOLF CLUB
AUGUST OUTING
Philip Bond's home club hosted the August outing.The course which nestles in the foothills of the Dublin mountains presented a huge challenge to all of the nine players and two playing guides. Ed Maguire and Wally Roode were the two who played to their handicap scoring 37 pts. each. Ed taking the spoils on countback with young Patrick taking third place with a score of 27 pts. We take this opportunity to thank the captain of Stackstown for his huge generosity with the reduced green fees and to compliment the ground staff on the presentation of the course and the fantastic fast greens witch baffled most of us. We hope to return to this course next season.
STACKSTOWN SCORES
ED. MAGUIRE ----------------------- 37 pts.
WALLY ROODE ------------------------ 37 pts.
PATRICK MORGAN ------------------ 27 PTS.
ADRIAN DOWNEY ----------------- 25 pts.
JIMMY MURRAY --------------------- 23pts.
JOE LONERGAN ---------------------- 18 pts.
JOHN O GRADY ---------------------- 8 pts.
ED. MAGUIRE ----------------------- 37 pts.
WALLY ROODE ------------------------ 37 pts.
PATRICK MORGAN ------------------ 27 PTS.
ADRIAN DOWNEY ----------------- 25 pts.
JIMMY MURRAY --------------------- 23pts.
JOE LONERGAN ---------------------- 18 pts.
JOHN O GRADY ---------------------- 8 pts.
fingal blind golf
Fingal Sports Partnership started Blind Golf lessons in 2012.
To date we have delivered six lessons so far for twelve people ranging in age from 8 – 75. The lessons are run out of the local driving range with a local golf professional who guides the players through the mechanics of the swing as well as the stance required to maximise ball contact and hit length. In terms of progressing to playing on a course all players must have a sighted guide to act as an aid in terms of set up and locating of the golf ball during play.
Like all minority sports growth is a slow and steady process and this is especially for the sport of Blind Golf. The lessons have developed and the participants have also developed their golf game and with the Irish Blind Golf Open been hosted in Fingal in July we are hoping it can help raise awareness and increase participation of people who are blind into the sport.
For further information contact Marion Brown at marion.brown@fingalcoco.ie / 01 890 5107.
THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE I.B.G.S. TO COMMEMORATE THE REINTRODUCTION OF THE IRISH BLIND OPEN ON THE
3 RD. AND 4 TH. JULY 2014 AFTER A 14 YEARS ABSENCE. ENJOY.
3 RD. AND 4 TH. JULY 2014 AFTER A 14 YEARS ABSENCE. ENJOY.
Blind Golf
Even before being born we are each bound to accord;
Our survival dependent on being linked to someone we trust.
This is how our lives evolve, whether we realise it or not.
Encountering each new experience, we become blind golfers
Instinctively placing our faith in voices so interwoven with ours
That often we’re barely conscious of their presence by our side
While we fret over selections and outcomes, trying to second guess
Each opportunity that presents itself, and every hazard to come.
The truth is that we can never navigate any course on our own.
We’re not wired for solitude; our hearts must risk being blown open
Like the windblown spores of a dandelion scattered by a child’s puff:
A fantasia of parachutes willingly drifting towards whatever fate intends.
Whether we call them lovers, partners, sighted-coaches or friends,
Our only certainty is our need for someone in whom we place our faith.
So read the grain of greens for me, reassure me about how my ball lies,
Alert me to bunkers, to what is within my range or what is out of bounds.
Don’t tell me wind speed or direction: I feel the breeze on my cheeks:
I sense the sun, tingling anticipation in my arms at the shot to come.
I am alone in how I must accomplish it, yet I feel part of something more.
have known disappointments, setbacks when I felt I could not go on.
We have all been hurt by life and yet, during every round, like I must,
I slowly relearn how to open myself up and intuitively rely upon trust.
Dermot Bolger
dermotbolger.com
Even before being born we are each bound to accord;
Our survival dependent on being linked to someone we trust.
This is how our lives evolve, whether we realise it or not.
Encountering each new experience, we become blind golfers
Instinctively placing our faith in voices so interwoven with ours
That often we’re barely conscious of their presence by our side
While we fret over selections and outcomes, trying to second guess
Each opportunity that presents itself, and every hazard to come.
The truth is that we can never navigate any course on our own.
We’re not wired for solitude; our hearts must risk being blown open
Like the windblown spores of a dandelion scattered by a child’s puff:
A fantasia of parachutes willingly drifting towards whatever fate intends.
Whether we call them lovers, partners, sighted-coaches or friends,
Our only certainty is our need for someone in whom we place our faith.
So read the grain of greens for me, reassure me about how my ball lies,
Alert me to bunkers, to what is within my range or what is out of bounds.
Don’t tell me wind speed or direction: I feel the breeze on my cheeks:
I sense the sun, tingling anticipation in my arms at the shot to come.
I am alone in how I must accomplish it, yet I feel part of something more.
have known disappointments, setbacks when I felt I could not go on.
We have all been hurt by life and yet, during every round, like I must,
I slowly relearn how to open myself up and intuitively rely upon trust.
Dermot Bolger
dermotbolger.com
See Dermot reading his poem on our Video page
ISPS HANDA BRITISH BLIND GOLF OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2014
HILTON TEMPLEPATRICK HOTEL AND COUNTRY CLUB
JULY 8 TH AND 9 TH
RESULTS
Champion Golfer
Net Champion: John Eakin, England& Wales
The claret jug was awarded to John Eakin for the best 36 holes net score over the two days.
Ladies Champion
Winner: Chiara Pozzi Giacosa, Italy
Sight Classification Awards (Men and Ladies)
B 1 Nett Winner: A. Calcaterra, Italy
B 1 Nett Runner Up: Brian MacLeod, Canada
B 2 Net Winner: Mirco Ghiggeri, Italy
B 2 Net Runner Up: J. Dinsdale, N.Ireland
B 3 Net Winner: Allan Morgan, Scotland
B 3 Net Runner Up: Steve Beevers, England & Wales.
The Stableford Competition
Winner: Danny McElroy, N. Ireland
Johnston Gardner memorial trophy (Best N.I. Golfer)
Winner: Jan Dinsdale, N. Ireland.
John Eakin, the world’s leading vision impaired golfer, won the ISPS Handa British Blind Golf Open in Templepatrick Golf Club on July 8 th and 9 th. John beat Mirco Ghiggeri, from Italy, by five strokes. Playing off nine handicap, John returned a net score of 139 over 36 holes.
The ladies competition was won by Italy’s Chiara Pozzi Giacosa, with a net score of 144. She beat Northern Ireland veteran golfer, Jan Dinsdale, by one single stroke.
The field included 36 visually impaired and blind golfers and their guides from 12 countries, all members of the International Blind Golf Association.
A Northern Irish golfer emerged as winner of the stableford competition. Danny McElroy scored 42 points to claim this accolade, having won the same stableford at last year’s British Open in Lincolnshire. He Beat Japans Takahazu Takahashi by 9 points.
Best of the Irish was Paul O’rahilly, who finished in tenth position, with a nett score of 156.
Net Champion: John Eakin, England& Wales
The claret jug was awarded to John Eakin for the best 36 holes net score over the two days.
Ladies Champion
Winner: Chiara Pozzi Giacosa, Italy
Sight Classification Awards (Men and Ladies)
B 1 Nett Winner: A. Calcaterra, Italy
B 1 Nett Runner Up: Brian MacLeod, Canada
B 2 Net Winner: Mirco Ghiggeri, Italy
B 2 Net Runner Up: J. Dinsdale, N.Ireland
B 3 Net Winner: Allan Morgan, Scotland
B 3 Net Runner Up: Steve Beevers, England & Wales.
The Stableford Competition
Winner: Danny McElroy, N. Ireland
Johnston Gardner memorial trophy (Best N.I. Golfer)
Winner: Jan Dinsdale, N. Ireland.
John Eakin, the world’s leading vision impaired golfer, won the ISPS Handa British Blind Golf Open in Templepatrick Golf Club on July 8 th and 9 th. John beat Mirco Ghiggeri, from Italy, by five strokes. Playing off nine handicap, John returned a net score of 139 over 36 holes.
The ladies competition was won by Italy’s Chiara Pozzi Giacosa, with a net score of 144. She beat Northern Ireland veteran golfer, Jan Dinsdale, by one single stroke.
The field included 36 visually impaired and blind golfers and their guides from 12 countries, all members of the International Blind Golf Association.
A Northern Irish golfer emerged as winner of the stableford competition. Danny McElroy scored 42 points to claim this accolade, having won the same stableford at last year’s British Open in Lincolnshire. He Beat Japans Takahazu Takahashi by 9 points.
Best of the Irish was Paul O’rahilly, who finished in tenth position, with a nett score of 156.
Pictured at the Irish Blind Golf championship at Roganstown Golf Club are Paul Reid, Chief Executive, Fingal County Council, with Irish golfer and honorary secretary of Irish Blind Golf Society, Paul O'Rahilly and his guide John Kennedy.
Successful Blind Golf Championship
Written by North County Leader
Many of the leading blind golfers in the world took part in the revived Irish Blind Golf Open championship at Roganstown Golf and Country Club which ended on Saturday, 5 th July last. Blind golf is a team effort - each player in the event had a guide who assisted in setting up the shot.
Paul Reid, Chief Executive, Fingal County Council, attended the event and was joined at the first hole by Irish golfer and honorary secretary of Irish Blind Golf Society, Paul O’Rahilly and his guide John Kennedy. The championship was staged by the Irish Blind Golf Society, with sponsorship assistance from Vision Sports Ireland and Dr Haruhisha Handa, a Japanese millionaire businessman, academic and philanthropist.
The event at Roganstown affirmed the status of Irish Blind Golf Society in the international blind golf community, which featured competitors from Australia, Japan, South Africa, Italy, Israel, Netherlands, Canada, Scotland, Northern Ireland, England/Wales and the Republic of Ireland bidding for the Irish Open Championship over the North County course.
In all, there were 33 golfers competing across three sight categories - B 1 (totally blind) and visually impaired players in categories B 2 and B 3 - also competed.
irish blind golf society
isps handa irish blind golf open championship 2014
roganstown hotel and country club
july 3 rd 4 th and 5 th
RESULTS
B 1 Champion Golfer: Chiara Pozzi Giacosa -- Italy
B 2 Champion Golfer: Garrett Slattery -- South Africa
B 3 Champion Golfer: Steve Beevers -- England & Wales
Champion Golfer: Chiara Pozzi Giacosa -- Italy
Runner Up: Steve Beevers -- England & Wales
A Perpetual Cup was awarded to the Champion Golfer
The Stableford Competition
Best 36 Holes Stableford: J. Murray -- Rep. of Ireland
Best 18 Holes Stableford: A. Downey – Rep. of Ireland
Chiara Pozzi Giacosa, the world’s leading totally blind lady golfer won the ISPS Handa Irish Blind Golf Open in Roganstown Golf Club on July 3 rd and 4 th. Chiara beat Steven Beevers, from England, on countback, both players returning a net score of 136 over 36 holes.
Chiara was also awarded the B 1 (totally blind) Champion Golfer for her gross score of 208. The B 2 and B 3 (visually impaired) categories were awarded to Garrett Slattery and Steven Beevers for gross scores of 188 and 168 respectively.
The field included 30 visually impaired and blind golfers and their guides from 11 countries, all members of the International Blind Golf Association.
Two Irish golfers emerged as winners of the 36 and 18 hole stableford competition. Dublins Jimmy Murray founder member of Irish Blind Golf won the 36 hole event. The 18 hole stableford was won by Adrian Downey, also from Dublin.
Almost all of the players in the Irish will travel to County Antrim this weekend, to play in the ISPS Handa British Blind Golf Open, which is running concurrently, and will be played over 36 holes on July 8th and 9th in the Templepatrick Hilton Current Irish captain, Willem Roode, will be accompanied by Paul O’Rahilly and Adrian Downey to this event, along with their guides Eamonn McGee, John Kennedy and Patrick Cockburn.
For further information, contact irishblindgolf@hotmail.com or Paul O’Rahilly at 086 846 0029
Website: www.irishblindgolf.eu
Follow us on Twitter: @irishblindgolf
Two photo's from the first day at Roganstown
LEADING SCORES AFTER THE FIRST DAY AT THE IRISH BLIND GOLF OPEN
STROKE PLAY
B1 B2 B3
C. Pozzi Giacosa ----- 68 Ed. Maguire -------- 71 S. Beevers ---------- 66
B. McAlister ------------ 72 J. Dinsdale ----------73 C. Evans ------------- 77
B. MacLeod ------------- 75 T.Reidy ---------------74 W. Roode ---------------- 77
STABLEFORT
J. Murray ---------------- 35
A. Downey -------------- 28
D. McElroy ------------- 22
STROKE PLAY
B1 B2 B3
C. Pozzi Giacosa ----- 68 Ed. Maguire -------- 71 S. Beevers ---------- 66
B. McAlister ------------ 72 J. Dinsdale ----------73 C. Evans ------------- 77
B. MacLeod ------------- 75 T.Reidy ---------------74 W. Roode ---------------- 77
STABLEFORT
J. Murray ---------------- 35
A. Downey -------------- 28
D. McElroy ------------- 22
TOP ENTRY FOR BLIND GOLF OPEN
By Simon Lewis
Rugby and Golf Correspondent
The Irish Examiner
An international field will tee off at Roganstown this week when the Irish Blind Golf Open returns to the sporting calendar for the first time since 2000.
Backed by the Golfing Union of Ireland with sponsorship assistance from Vision Sports Ireland and Japanese philanthropist Dr Haruhisha Handa, the revived event has attracted many of the world’s leading blind golfers. Played over 36 holes on Thursday and Friday, competitors from Australia, Japan, South Africa, Italy, Israel, Netherlands, Canada, Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will vie for the Irish Open championship with a Saturday scramble to follow. They include 2014 Australian Blind Golf Open champion Kris Adams, the 2013 British Blind Golf Open champion, Chris Evans, the 2012 Italian Blind Golf Open champion Mirco Ghiggeri and 2012 IBGA World Blind Golf champion Pieta le Roux.
Leading members of the Irish Blind Golf Society Wally Roode, Jimmy Murray, Adrian Downey and Joe Lonergan will also take part, as will its honorary secretary Paul O’Rahilly.
“It’s much more fun that sighted golf,” O’Rahilly said with a chuckle. “When I was sighted and I hit a shot off line I was inclined to beat myself up over it but there’s huge enjoyment to this.
“Blind golf is a two-person sport. The guide assists with setting up the golfer, making course management decisions, and watching and describing the shot played,” O’Rahilly explained.
“All the blind golfer has to do is hit the ball. It’s great when you get your timing right and you deliver the ball exactly where your guide has told you to put it and you get the feedback from your club, hugely enjoyable. We are delighted that with the support of the GUI and the R&A Working for Golf program that we can now revive the Irish championship.”
“The International Blind Golf Association is the driving force for the 13 national associations representing 500 blind golfers worldwide. IBGA would like to see these numbers grow and is also involved in a bid to introduce disabled or paragolf into the Paralympics in 2020.”
Rugby and Golf Correspondent
The Irish Examiner
An international field will tee off at Roganstown this week when the Irish Blind Golf Open returns to the sporting calendar for the first time since 2000.
Backed by the Golfing Union of Ireland with sponsorship assistance from Vision Sports Ireland and Japanese philanthropist Dr Haruhisha Handa, the revived event has attracted many of the world’s leading blind golfers. Played over 36 holes on Thursday and Friday, competitors from Australia, Japan, South Africa, Italy, Israel, Netherlands, Canada, Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will vie for the Irish Open championship with a Saturday scramble to follow. They include 2014 Australian Blind Golf Open champion Kris Adams, the 2013 British Blind Golf Open champion, Chris Evans, the 2012 Italian Blind Golf Open champion Mirco Ghiggeri and 2012 IBGA World Blind Golf champion Pieta le Roux.
Leading members of the Irish Blind Golf Society Wally Roode, Jimmy Murray, Adrian Downey and Joe Lonergan will also take part, as will its honorary secretary Paul O’Rahilly.
“It’s much more fun that sighted golf,” O’Rahilly said with a chuckle. “When I was sighted and I hit a shot off line I was inclined to beat myself up over it but there’s huge enjoyment to this.
“Blind golf is a two-person sport. The guide assists with setting up the golfer, making course management decisions, and watching and describing the shot played,” O’Rahilly explained.
“All the blind golfer has to do is hit the ball. It’s great when you get your timing right and you deliver the ball exactly where your guide has told you to put it and you get the feedback from your club, hugely enjoyable. We are delighted that with the support of the GUI and the R&A Working for Golf program that we can now revive the Irish championship.”
“The International Blind Golf Association is the driving force for the 13 national associations representing 500 blind golfers worldwide. IBGA would like to see these numbers grow and is also involved in a bid to introduce disabled or paragolf into the Paralympics in 2020.”
ISPS Handa British Blind Open Championship 2014
Sun 6 July
Competitors and Guides book into hotel from 3.00pm.
Light refreshments served prior to welcoming party (Lylehill Suite)
Welcoming party in Lylehill Suite at 7.00pm.
List to be displayed of competitors required for eye testing.
Eye testing carried out on Monday morning between 8.00am to 9.00am.
Mon 7 July
Breakfast served from 7.00am
Practice round- Draw is the same for the competition on Tuesday.
1st Tee off is 9.00am from 1st tee and 10th tee.
Tea/Coffee served on course.
Dinner to be served in Lylehill Suite from 7.00pm. Book at Reception.
Tue 8 July
Breakfast served from 7.00am
1st day competition- Tee off from 9.00am at 8 minutes intervals from 1st and 10th tees.
Dinner to be served in Lylehill Suite from 7.00pm. Book at Reception.
Wed 9 July
Breakfast served from 7.00am
Final day of British Open
Banquet in Lylehill Suite at 7.00pm.
Formal Attire required
Presentation and prize giving
Thur 10 July
Breakfast served from 7.00am
Check out before 12am
Safe Journey Home.
Golf for blind people: par for the course
Paul O’Rahilly, secretary of the Irish Blind
Golf Society, at Gowran Park Golf club in Kilkenny.
Photograph: Dylan Vaughan
Georgina O'Halloran
Visually impaired players in the Irish Blind Golf Society
play with a guide and compete internationally
Growing up
in South Africa, Wally Roode loved watching golf on TV, but he never imagined
he would play the game. Born with a genetic condition called optic atrophy,
Roode, who lives in Swords, Co Dublin, has been visually impaired all his life.
As a child and teenager he loved sport and was involved in athletics, swimming and Olympic wrestling, but his condition ruled him out of activities such as racket sports and golf.
“My dad loved watching the golf and I’d sit up and watch with him. It was the days of the South African golfer Gary Player. He was one of my idols,” says Roode.
After leaving school Roode moved to London to study physiotherapy, and he met his Dublin-born wife, Catherine Walsh, there. He moved to Ireland in the mid-1990s, and when he heard about the Irish Blind Golf Society he decided to give it a shot.
Fourteen years later Roode is a total convert. He is now captain of the society and has just returned from competing in the World Blind Golf Championships in Australia.
“What I like about it is the fact that you can compete on an equal playing field with anybody, whether they are visually impaired or not, due to the system in place,” says Roode, who has two children.
“I like the freedom of being outdoors and thinking of nothing else but hitting that little white ball as straight and as far as you can.”
Key difference
The key difference between “regular” golf and blind golf is that the blind or visually impaired golfer plays with a guide who assists the player, depending on their level of need.
Among the guide’s roles includes indicating where the ball is on the fairway or green, and lining up the club in the direction that the ball needs to go.
The secretary of the society, Paul O’Rahilly, who lives in Kilkenny city, describes blind golf as a “two-person sport”, like tandem cycling or skiing.
“It takes two people to play,” says O’Rahilly, who grew up in Dublin and began playing golf as a teenager. He is a qualified engineer.
“I was very fortunate to have access to golf. I loved it,” says O’Rahilly, who was a member of the Hermitage Golf Club and played in Rosslare during the summer.
However, when he was 16, he was diagnosed with a problem with his retina, which deteriorated over time and by the age of 28 he could no longer drive a car.
At about the same time, he was forced to give up golf. “I let it go. Other priorities took over. I felt my competitive golfing days were behind me,” says O’Rahilly, who now works as a certified sports massage therapist and has recently set up a company, the Bodywell Institution, which delivers health and wellness programmes to people in the workplace.
Golf with a guide
About five years later O’Rahilly heard a radio advert about a fundraiser for the Irish Blind Golf Society and immediately contacted the organisers.
“It was only when I discovered the blind golf – that I could go out with a guide – that I started to get interested in it again. I discovered there was a big competitive scene in blind golf,” says O’Rahilly.
“It enhanced my life. It put me in touch with people who were in the same situation as myself in terms of dealing with sight loss and I think that was very good for me. The friends I made then, they are friends I still have today.
“Sight loss is a big change in one’s life, particularly around the age I was, and it’s not always easy to understand how to deal with it,” says O’Rahilly, who has to walk with a cane at night.
Currently the society has just 22 members, including golfers and their guides.
The majority played golf before they experienced sight loss, but others had never played before.
Members meet up and play together about once a month and the society also organises training days for players. Members also have the opportunity to compete at home and abroad.
The Celtic Cup, between Ireland and Scotland, took place in Cork in April and the Irish Blind Golf Open takes place at Roganstown Golf Club, Swords, Co Dublin, from July 2nd-5th.
O’Rahilly says they would like to increase membership. “Most of our members come from the Dublin area. We’d like to have more members from around the country.” He adds that the society subsidises lessons for new members in many cases. “We have no female members at the moment and we’d like to change that too,” he says.
Level playing field
Adrian Downey, a former foreman carpenter with Dublin City Council who lives in Clondalkin, took up golf in 1993. However, 10 years later he developed sight difficulties due to age-related macular degeneration.
He was still playing golf, but could no longer play competitively. “When I heard about the blind golf I felt at least we’d be on a level playing field.”
Today Adrian, who is keen to stress that their society is for both visually impaired golfers as well as those who are blind, goes out with a guide about once a week and enjoys playing in competitions.
He plays abroad about twice a year and is looking forward to competing in the Italian Blind Open in Milan in September.
“The only thing that would stop my playing golf was if the course was closed. It’s like a religion at this stage.”
AS PUBLISHED IN THE IRISH TIMES HEALTH AND FAMILY SUPPLEMENT ON TUESDAY 3RD JUNE 2014.
As a child and teenager he loved sport and was involved in athletics, swimming and Olympic wrestling, but his condition ruled him out of activities such as racket sports and golf.
“My dad loved watching the golf and I’d sit up and watch with him. It was the days of the South African golfer Gary Player. He was one of my idols,” says Roode.
After leaving school Roode moved to London to study physiotherapy, and he met his Dublin-born wife, Catherine Walsh, there. He moved to Ireland in the mid-1990s, and when he heard about the Irish Blind Golf Society he decided to give it a shot.
Fourteen years later Roode is a total convert. He is now captain of the society and has just returned from competing in the World Blind Golf Championships in Australia.
“What I like about it is the fact that you can compete on an equal playing field with anybody, whether they are visually impaired or not, due to the system in place,” says Roode, who has two children.
“I like the freedom of being outdoors and thinking of nothing else but hitting that little white ball as straight and as far as you can.”
Key difference
The key difference between “regular” golf and blind golf is that the blind or visually impaired golfer plays with a guide who assists the player, depending on their level of need.
Among the guide’s roles includes indicating where the ball is on the fairway or green, and lining up the club in the direction that the ball needs to go.
The secretary of the society, Paul O’Rahilly, who lives in Kilkenny city, describes blind golf as a “two-person sport”, like tandem cycling or skiing.
“It takes two people to play,” says O’Rahilly, who grew up in Dublin and began playing golf as a teenager. He is a qualified engineer.
“I was very fortunate to have access to golf. I loved it,” says O’Rahilly, who was a member of the Hermitage Golf Club and played in Rosslare during the summer.
However, when he was 16, he was diagnosed with a problem with his retina, which deteriorated over time and by the age of 28 he could no longer drive a car.
At about the same time, he was forced to give up golf. “I let it go. Other priorities took over. I felt my competitive golfing days were behind me,” says O’Rahilly, who now works as a certified sports massage therapist and has recently set up a company, the Bodywell Institution, which delivers health and wellness programmes to people in the workplace.
Golf with a guide
About five years later O’Rahilly heard a radio advert about a fundraiser for the Irish Blind Golf Society and immediately contacted the organisers.
“It was only when I discovered the blind golf – that I could go out with a guide – that I started to get interested in it again. I discovered there was a big competitive scene in blind golf,” says O’Rahilly.
“It enhanced my life. It put me in touch with people who were in the same situation as myself in terms of dealing with sight loss and I think that was very good for me. The friends I made then, they are friends I still have today.
“Sight loss is a big change in one’s life, particularly around the age I was, and it’s not always easy to understand how to deal with it,” says O’Rahilly, who has to walk with a cane at night.
Currently the society has just 22 members, including golfers and their guides.
The majority played golf before they experienced sight loss, but others had never played before.
Members meet up and play together about once a month and the society also organises training days for players. Members also have the opportunity to compete at home and abroad.
The Celtic Cup, between Ireland and Scotland, took place in Cork in April and the Irish Blind Golf Open takes place at Roganstown Golf Club, Swords, Co Dublin, from July 2nd-5th.
O’Rahilly says they would like to increase membership. “Most of our members come from the Dublin area. We’d like to have more members from around the country.” He adds that the society subsidises lessons for new members in many cases. “We have no female members at the moment and we’d like to change that too,” he says.
Level playing field
Adrian Downey, a former foreman carpenter with Dublin City Council who lives in Clondalkin, took up golf in 1993. However, 10 years later he developed sight difficulties due to age-related macular degeneration.
He was still playing golf, but could no longer play competitively. “When I heard about the blind golf I felt at least we’d be on a level playing field.”
Today Adrian, who is keen to stress that their society is for both visually impaired golfers as well as those who are blind, goes out with a guide about once a week and enjoys playing in competitions.
He plays abroad about twice a year and is looking forward to competing in the Italian Blind Open in Milan in September.
“The only thing that would stop my playing golf was if the course was closed. It’s like a religion at this stage.”
AS PUBLISHED IN THE IRISH TIMES HEALTH AND FAMILY SUPPLEMENT ON TUESDAY 3RD JUNE 2014.
Irish blind golf society
isps handa world blind golf championships 2014
nelson bay, nsw, austraila
may 15th & 16th
Some people
are larks, some are owls. I am a lark, because I have no problem getting up out
of bed at 6am, particularly if there something interesting in my day.
Monday May 12th, 2014 was one of those days. Now, while the blackbirds were heralding the morning in Kilkenny, the kookaburra were chiming in the late afternoon sun in New South Wales. The digital voice in the foreground, coming from my laptop, imitated the nasal tones of Tony Bubba Telfer. Bubba was commentating on the first days play in the Australian Blind Golf Open on Blind Sports Radio (“Bringing Sound to Life”). The Australian Open was a 36 hole warmup tournament and took place on May 12th and 13th.
“Brutal” was the word Andy Sellars, one of Englands leading blind golfers, used to describe the conditions of the first days play. Overnight rain was making the course longer than its yardage, adding to the natural hazards of bushes, trees and lakes. And the early scores reflected this. On the first day, everyone in the 52 person field returned scores above the par of the course. Scotlands Kris Adams and Englands Paul Appleyard led the field with net 73 after the first 18, with the field well stretched out behind them.
“Bubba” transmitted two shows each day from the Nelson Bay resort. There was excellent coverage of the World Championships opening ceremony on Thursday morning, May 15th. The participants were treated to a warm welcome from representatives from the local town council and the golf club. The biggest welcome came from Johnny, a warramai tribe elder, reminding us of the great tradition of the land on which we stand. The Australian national anthem was sung beautifully, by children from the local St Patrick's national school.
As I listened to this ceremony, I pored over the scores from the second day of the Australian. Ireland’s Willem Roode had followed a solid first days 82 with a tournament threatening 76 on day two, to finish overall 5th. Paul Appleyard, playing off fourteen shot 74, but this was not enough to catch Kris, who carded a 69, playing off a handicap of 41. So, Kris won the tournament.
The 28th Hole was the title of the day show from BSR, transmitted from the verandah of the clubhouse, overlooking the 18th green at this 27 hole golf complex. Graham Coulton co presented the show. Graham is Mr Blind Golf Oz, and has committed a lot of his time over the last two years organizing this week long event. ,
The great tradition of Australian subtlety and nuance was carried over into the evening show, “Balls and All”, recording a more colorful recollection of the days play. Although this show covered other blind sports activities taking place around the globe.
The results from the Worlds are tabulated below in detail.
In the Worlds, Wally finished 5th gross and 5th net in the B3 sight category. Statistically, Wally was the third most consistent player over the week, in terms of net scores, averaging net 79. Only South Africa’s Garrett Slattery and Englands Paul Appleyard performed better.
Wally, and his guide Colm Murphy, did their country proud down under, with a fine performance. When I spoke to him on Friday 16th, he was a little frustrated that a poor run of play over a few holes, during his second round, took him out of the World Blind Golf tournament. He could not match his five pars with consistent scoring, allowing three quadruple bogeys onto his card. “It’s marginal” he lamented, describing the three lousy swings that caused the damage to his final round, and ended his chances of taking his first international title, which he deserves.
Many of the players from the World Championships will travel to Dublin in July to play in the Irish Blind Golf Open. Wally will be leading the charge for Ireland. B1 champions Andrea and Zohar, B2 Garrett Slattery and kris Adams, all in form players,will also compete at the challenging Roganstown track in North County Dublin.
We have no plans to cover the Irish Open by internet radio…at the moment !
Monday May 12th, 2014 was one of those days. Now, while the blackbirds were heralding the morning in Kilkenny, the kookaburra were chiming in the late afternoon sun in New South Wales. The digital voice in the foreground, coming from my laptop, imitated the nasal tones of Tony Bubba Telfer. Bubba was commentating on the first days play in the Australian Blind Golf Open on Blind Sports Radio (“Bringing Sound to Life”). The Australian Open was a 36 hole warmup tournament and took place on May 12th and 13th.
“Brutal” was the word Andy Sellars, one of Englands leading blind golfers, used to describe the conditions of the first days play. Overnight rain was making the course longer than its yardage, adding to the natural hazards of bushes, trees and lakes. And the early scores reflected this. On the first day, everyone in the 52 person field returned scores above the par of the course. Scotlands Kris Adams and Englands Paul Appleyard led the field with net 73 after the first 18, with the field well stretched out behind them.
“Bubba” transmitted two shows each day from the Nelson Bay resort. There was excellent coverage of the World Championships opening ceremony on Thursday morning, May 15th. The participants were treated to a warm welcome from representatives from the local town council and the golf club. The biggest welcome came from Johnny, a warramai tribe elder, reminding us of the great tradition of the land on which we stand. The Australian national anthem was sung beautifully, by children from the local St Patrick's national school.
As I listened to this ceremony, I pored over the scores from the second day of the Australian. Ireland’s Willem Roode had followed a solid first days 82 with a tournament threatening 76 on day two, to finish overall 5th. Paul Appleyard, playing off fourteen shot 74, but this was not enough to catch Kris, who carded a 69, playing off a handicap of 41. So, Kris won the tournament.
The 28th Hole was the title of the day show from BSR, transmitted from the verandah of the clubhouse, overlooking the 18th green at this 27 hole golf complex. Graham Coulton co presented the show. Graham is Mr Blind Golf Oz, and has committed a lot of his time over the last two years organizing this week long event. ,
The great tradition of Australian subtlety and nuance was carried over into the evening show, “Balls and All”, recording a more colorful recollection of the days play. Although this show covered other blind sports activities taking place around the globe.
The results from the Worlds are tabulated below in detail.
In the Worlds, Wally finished 5th gross and 5th net in the B3 sight category. Statistically, Wally was the third most consistent player over the week, in terms of net scores, averaging net 79. Only South Africa’s Garrett Slattery and Englands Paul Appleyard performed better.
Wally, and his guide Colm Murphy, did their country proud down under, with a fine performance. When I spoke to him on Friday 16th, he was a little frustrated that a poor run of play over a few holes, during his second round, took him out of the World Blind Golf tournament. He could not match his five pars with consistent scoring, allowing three quadruple bogeys onto his card. “It’s marginal” he lamented, describing the three lousy swings that caused the damage to his final round, and ended his chances of taking his first international title, which he deserves.
Many of the players from the World Championships will travel to Dublin in July to play in the Irish Blind Golf Open. Wally will be leading the charge for Ireland. B1 champions Andrea and Zohar, B2 Garrett Slattery and kris Adams, all in form players,will also compete at the challenging Roganstown track in North County Dublin.
We have no plans to cover the Irish Open by internet radio…at the moment !
results
NET B1 Player Guide
World champion Zohar Sharon (isr) 156 Shimshon Livi
runner-up andrea calcaterra (ita) 157 alex calcaterra
net b2 player guide
world champion malcolm llliot (wa) 150 neville walker
runner-up garrett slattery (saf) 156 cinthia slattery
net b3 player guide
world champion paul appleyard (eng) 153 niel oxborough
runner-up doug burrows (wa) 156 thelma burrows
gross b1 player guide
world champion zohar sharon (isr) 212 shimshon levi
runner-up andrea calcaterra (ita) 219 alex calcaterra
gross b2 player guide
world champion garrett slattery (saf) 200 cinthiaslattery
runner-up in chan cho (kor) 204 sin-ki kim
gross b3 player guide
world champion paul appleyard (eng) 181 niel oxborough
runner-up darren douma (can) 196 ian filmer
ladies net results:
player guide
world champion jenny mCcallum (aus) 163 ian mccallum
runner-up jenny abela (aus) 176 steve doyle
ROGANSTOWN OUTING
2ND MAY
OUR SECOND OUTING WELCOMED OUR NEWEST MEMBER ED MAGUIRE FROM CO. MEATH. MISSING ON THE DAY WAS WALLY ROODE AND HIS GUIDE COLM MURPHY WHO LEFT FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AND THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2014 ON FRIDAY 2ND. WE WISH HIM WELL AS OUR SOLE REPRESENTATIVE. THREE OTHER MEMBERS HAD BUSINESS APPOINTMENTS AND COULD NOT ATTEND WHICH LEFT FIVE MEMBERS TO CONTEST ON THE DAY. THIS COURSE GAVE THE PLAYERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAMPLE WHAT THEY WILL FACE IN THE IRISH OPEN IN JULY.
THE BEST SCORES ON THE DAY:
A DOWNEY------------- 28 PTS.
P GORY------------------ 26PTS.
P MORGAN JR.-------- 23PTS.
THE BEST SCORES ON THE DAY:
A DOWNEY------------- 28 PTS.
P GORY------------------ 26PTS.
P MORGAN JR.-------- 23PTS.
GOOD MEDIA COVERAGE FOR THE CELTIC CUP IN CORK.
THE FIRST IS FROM THE "IRISH EXAMINER"
@ballyhea14 irishexaminer.com/sport/golf/a-n… #disability #inclusion
THE NEXT IS FROM "TV3 NEWS"
http://www.tv3.ie/news_sub_page.php?video_id=78598&locID=1.2.880
THE FIRST IS FROM THE "IRISH EXAMINER"
@ballyhea14 irishexaminer.com/sport/golf/a-n… #disability #inclusion
THE NEXT IS FROM "TV3 NEWS"
http://www.tv3.ie/news_sub_page.php?video_id=78598&locID=1.2.880
team Ireland wins celtic cup
Lee Valley golf club hosted for the first time an international blind golf competition between team Ireland and Scotland. The Celtic Cup is an annual event held in rotation each year and this year Ireland hosted it. Three N.I.B.G.A. players with three I.B.G.S. colleagues faced six of Scotland's best in a format of three "four balls" on the first day with six "singles" on the second day. Team Ireland lead 2-1 after the first day and followed it up on second day with a score of three all to win the trophy with an overall score of 5-4. The current standing is Team Ireland 3 wins Scotland 3 wins. The battle will continue in 2015. Hosted by N.I.B.G.A.
FOR SCORING DETAILS SEE
CELTIC CUP 2014 PAGE
FOR SCORING DETAILS SEE
CELTIC CUP 2014 PAGE
GRANGE CASTLE
OUTING
4 TH. APRIL 2014
GRANGE CASTLE GOLF CLUB HOSTED OUR FIRST OUTING OF THE YEAR AND THE
SUN SHONE FOR US. SIX PLAYERS DID BATTLE OVER THE COURSE WITH PATRICK MORGAN JR. TAKING THE SPOILS WITH A SCORE OF 38 PTS. WALLY ROODE AND ADRIAN DOWNEY HAD A SCORE OF 35PTS. PHILIP BOND OUR NEW MEMBER ADDED TO THE FIELD AND PLAYED THE FIRST FEW HOLES AFTER A BRAKE OF YEARS FROM HIS GAME THAT HE LOVES. JIMMY MURRAY OPENED HIS SEASON WITH A FINE 28PTS FOLLOWED BY JOE LONERGAN WITH 18PTS AND HE WAS PLEASED WITH HIS IMPROVING SCORES.
A FULL LIST OF SCORES AS FOLLOWS
PATRICK MORGAN-----------------------------------------38 pts.
WALLY ROODE----------------------------------------------35pts.
ADRIAN DOWNEY-----------------------------------------35pts.
JIMMY MURRAY--------------------------------------------28pts.
JOE LONERGAN--------------------------------------------18pts.
JOHN O GRADY---------------------------------------------08pts.
SUN SHONE FOR US. SIX PLAYERS DID BATTLE OVER THE COURSE WITH PATRICK MORGAN JR. TAKING THE SPOILS WITH A SCORE OF 38 PTS. WALLY ROODE AND ADRIAN DOWNEY HAD A SCORE OF 35PTS. PHILIP BOND OUR NEW MEMBER ADDED TO THE FIELD AND PLAYED THE FIRST FEW HOLES AFTER A BRAKE OF YEARS FROM HIS GAME THAT HE LOVES. JIMMY MURRAY OPENED HIS SEASON WITH A FINE 28PTS FOLLOWED BY JOE LONERGAN WITH 18PTS AND HE WAS PLEASED WITH HIS IMPROVING SCORES.
A FULL LIST OF SCORES AS FOLLOWS
PATRICK MORGAN-----------------------------------------38 pts.
WALLY ROODE----------------------------------------------35pts.
ADRIAN DOWNEY-----------------------------------------35pts.
JIMMY MURRAY--------------------------------------------28pts.
JOE LONERGAN--------------------------------------------18pts.
JOHN O GRADY---------------------------------------------08pts.
Irish Blind Golf Society
Reports from Monthly Outings
Grangecastle (April 4th)
Report by Paul O'Rahilly
Finally, I can claim to have something in common with Tiger Woods. The
world’s number one golfer has had to retire from The 2014 Augusta
Masters due to back pain. My reason for being unable to participate in
the Irish Blind Golf Society opening "major" of the season is the same
lumbar affliction. That is where the similarity ends.
The Grangecastle event is organized annually by our Treasurer, Adrian
Downey. This year he picked the most glorious day for golf, as we were
blessed with warmth and sunshine in the afternoon. While Adrian is
good on picking the day, he has a little to learn about telling the
time. After marching us all up the hill to the first tee at 11.30, he
was duly informed that we were one hour early. So, like the Duke of
York, we all marched back down again!
Even though I could not play, I was able to walk the course, which
gave me a chance to chat to the guys, and make some observations about
who was playing well, and who his showing some early season cracks. As
this was a qualifying day for Celtic Cup team selection, I felt I was
doing a worthwhile job.
I followed John O'Grady and Jimmy Murray for eight holes. Jimmy has
been playing well, following a cataract operation which kept him away
from golf in 2012 and early 2013. He is a regular in Grangecastle, and
played the opening holes with great authority, keeping the ball in
play and scoring consistently. John O'Grady was playing with borrowed
clubs, as well as a borrowed guide in Joe O'Reilly. They spent much of
the round searching for his rhythm, and most of his borrowed golf
balls. We know John has a lot more golf in him, and will improve as
the year progresses.
The Duke of York, alias Adrian Downey has been practicing regularly
throughout the winter and along with his guide Pat assembled a
creditable 35 points, in spite of three scratches. His par on the
tricky 18th was enough to give him runner up on count back over Wally
Roode.
Wally is very content with his level of play, in advance of the
upcoming Celtic Cup, and his trip to Australia in May, where he will
play in the IBGA World Blind Golf Championships. Wally’s playing
partner, Joe Lonergan, has been showing steady improvement over the
last 12 months, and put together a solid round of 18 points.
Patrick Morgan joined our golf society last summer. He and his dad
have been enthusiastic competitors in every event, and Patrick who is
18 years old has been improving steadily. He has grown physically over
the winter months, and his golf game has improved accordingly. On this
occasion, he scored 38 points, off 36 handicap, which was the best
score of the day. His play was characterized by excellent course
management, consistent scoring, and outstanding use of the pitching
wedge, particularly from inside 50 yards.
Reports from Monthly Outings
Grangecastle (April 4th)
Report by Paul O'Rahilly
Finally, I can claim to have something in common with Tiger Woods. The
world’s number one golfer has had to retire from The 2014 Augusta
Masters due to back pain. My reason for being unable to participate in
the Irish Blind Golf Society opening "major" of the season is the same
lumbar affliction. That is where the similarity ends.
The Grangecastle event is organized annually by our Treasurer, Adrian
Downey. This year he picked the most glorious day for golf, as we were
blessed with warmth and sunshine in the afternoon. While Adrian is
good on picking the day, he has a little to learn about telling the
time. After marching us all up the hill to the first tee at 11.30, he
was duly informed that we were one hour early. So, like the Duke of
York, we all marched back down again!
Even though I could not play, I was able to walk the course, which
gave me a chance to chat to the guys, and make some observations about
who was playing well, and who his showing some early season cracks. As
this was a qualifying day for Celtic Cup team selection, I felt I was
doing a worthwhile job.
I followed John O'Grady and Jimmy Murray for eight holes. Jimmy has
been playing well, following a cataract operation which kept him away
from golf in 2012 and early 2013. He is a regular in Grangecastle, and
played the opening holes with great authority, keeping the ball in
play and scoring consistently. John O'Grady was playing with borrowed
clubs, as well as a borrowed guide in Joe O'Reilly. They spent much of
the round searching for his rhythm, and most of his borrowed golf
balls. We know John has a lot more golf in him, and will improve as
the year progresses.
The Duke of York, alias Adrian Downey has been practicing regularly
throughout the winter and along with his guide Pat assembled a
creditable 35 points, in spite of three scratches. His par on the
tricky 18th was enough to give him runner up on count back over Wally
Roode.
Wally is very content with his level of play, in advance of the
upcoming Celtic Cup, and his trip to Australia in May, where he will
play in the IBGA World Blind Golf Championships. Wally’s playing
partner, Joe Lonergan, has been showing steady improvement over the
last 12 months, and put together a solid round of 18 points.
Patrick Morgan joined our golf society last summer. He and his dad
have been enthusiastic competitors in every event, and Patrick who is
18 years old has been improving steadily. He has grown physically over
the winter months, and his golf game has improved accordingly. On this
occasion, he scored 38 points, off 36 handicap, which was the best
score of the day. His play was characterized by excellent course
management, consistent scoring, and outstanding use of the pitching
wedge, particularly from inside 50 yards.
AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW WITH A VISUALlY IMPAIRED SKIER AND HER RELATIONSHIP WITH HER GUIDE.
http://youtu.be/Nx5Z_6NpK5g
On Wednesday January
15th 2014 The Golfing Union of Ireland (G.U.I.) opened its doors to the
disabled golfers of Ireland by hosting the first Forum for Disabled Golfers at
their National Headquarters in Carton House, Co. Kildare.
This is the same Golfing Union that Padraig Harrington thanked on a balmy evening in Carnoustie when he won the British Open in 2006 setting in motion the golden age of professional golf in our country.
Ivor McCandless President of the Golfing Union brought us to the board room, sat us down and asked us how they could help with our development.
Geoff, Chairman of Irish Deaf Golf summarized their structure, status and needs, followed by Frances from Special Olympics who outlined their future development needs and Paul and Jan from Blind Golf shared the story of Blind Golf, its strategy and ambitions.
The President flanked by his development squad made notes and summarized the proceedings. This will be taken to the Executive Committee of the G.U.I. for their view.
Some day golf will be a Paralympic sport and a new hero of Irish Golf beaming behind his or her gold medal will thank the Golfing Union for their support. That day will be connected to this by the trail of sporting history.
This is the same Golfing Union that Padraig Harrington thanked on a balmy evening in Carnoustie when he won the British Open in 2006 setting in motion the golden age of professional golf in our country.
Ivor McCandless President of the Golfing Union brought us to the board room, sat us down and asked us how they could help with our development.
Geoff, Chairman of Irish Deaf Golf summarized their structure, status and needs, followed by Frances from Special Olympics who outlined their future development needs and Paul and Jan from Blind Golf shared the story of Blind Golf, its strategy and ambitions.
The President flanked by his development squad made notes and summarized the proceedings. This will be taken to the Executive Committee of the G.U.I. for their view.
Some day golf will be a Paralympic sport and a new hero of Irish Golf beaming behind his or her gold medal will thank the Golfing Union for their support. That day will be connected to this by the trail of sporting history.