Golfers refuse to let vision loss affect their game

 An annual charity golf tournament is proving to be quite an eye-opener.

The sport is hard enough for most to grasp on the best of days-but there are a few local golfers who have overcome the odds in a big way, and are excelling at the game.

Bob Short is one of them. He suffers from vision loss, but can still tee off and put the ball within 10 feet of the pin-with his eyes closed.

“Really the struggle I have had most with my vision loss is coming to terms with the things I have had to give up,” he said. “I thought golf was one of those.”

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Boy was he wrong. Short is now inspiring other golfers, as part of the CNIB’s annual Outta Sight Golf Classic.

Blaine Deutscher also participated in this year’s tournament. He sees fuzzy shapes if he’s outside in the bright sun, but wants to get the word out that being blind is a challenge, but not a roadblock.

“I teach kids about vision loss, I have a guide dog as well that I use, so I teach them about the cane, the guide dog, the rules.”

The tournament is a huge fundraiser for the CNIB and works to raise awareness about what people with vision loss can accomplish.

“We need our clients to understand that life is not over if they should lose their vision,” explained Nicola Osse. “CNIB is there to help them and show them how they can manage at home on their own.”

Short now golfs on the International Blind Golfers Tour and says the lessons learned as a result of his vision loss have had a positive impact.

“I am far less judgmental, I also am far more patient,” he said. “When I get determined to do something I remain committed.”