Nine severely sight-impaired players enjoyed a glorious day’s golfing in New Ross recently in the first ever Irish Blind Golf event in the county. Organised by Adamstown man Paddy Power, the day was a great success.
‘Everybody at New Ross Golf club was so nice. Nobody had to put a hand in their pocket for buggies or anything. You wouldn’t get that at Augusta!’ said Paddy, who extended his thanks to all the staff at the golf club for their brillant hospitality.
Paddy (48) was representing Wexford in the tournament. A member of the Irish Blind Golf Society for two years, Paddy is categorised as having 3B blindness. During a blind golf event, players are assisted by a team mate as they take to the course. Eleven blind golf events are played between May and November each year.
Paddy said everyone enjoyed the 18-hole competition, which was won by Carlow man Oliver O’Connor who was presented with a trophy. ‘The management came out and spoke to the players – it was just lovely. Stephen and James couldn’t have been nicer in the Pro shop and the golf course was in immaculate condition.’
Such was the event’s success that a follow-on event in New Ross next year is already being planned. Irish Blind Golf has been in existence since 1992 and Paddy said he is proud that one of its events has taken place in Wexford for the first time.
He thanked Brian Teague for all his help and Marguerite Sutton and Davy Doran for standing in as guides on the day.
