The Western Australian Blind and Vision Impaired Golf Association Inc. A1001956G

Ray Hankins played golf all his adult life. In later life his eyesight deteriorated and he could no longer work. All aspects of his life changed – he could no longer drive and had to rely on others.  After running his own business and having an active life, he found his vision loss very isolating and had very little contact with the outside world.

It was his family that heard about Blind Golf and suggested that he met up with them to try a game. Something as relatively simple as a weekly game of golf with like-minded people gave Ray a purpose in life again and something to look forward to.  Ray explains “I enjoy golf as a great outing and play with many others in the same category as myself. It is great company. It has brought great enjoyment back into my life.  To anyone in the similar situation, I sincerely encourage you to have a try at Blind Golf.  It has brought me out into the world again.”

Doug Golding is currently Vice President of the Western Australian Blind Golf Association.  However, this has not always been the case.  Doug had in fact only been an occasional golfer before he lost his sight to Macular Degeneration in middle age. He was encouraged to become involved with blind golf by his wife Lynne.  Doug was reluctant to try blind golf at first but Lynne was able to talk him into giving it a go.

“As soon as I walked into the clubroom I realised that we were all in the same boat. You couldn’t have made a fool of yourself if you’d wanted to!” says Doug. From then on he has become more and more involved in blind golf and has made a strong group of golfing friends.  Doug enjoys tournaments with a highlight being a trip to England to play the British Open in 2010.