Tasmania’s blind golf community has gathered for a come and try day today to celebrate the announcement that the State will host its first official blind golf order of merit event at Kingston Beach Golf Club in February.
The Tasmanian Blind Golf Open has been endorsed by Blind Golf Australia and Golf Australia as an official event on the Blind Golf tour calendar.
Minister for Sport and Recreation, Nic Street said blind golf allowed vision impaired players to take to the fairways with the assistance of a caddy and some slight rule modifications.
“We recognise the significant role sport can play in improving physical and mental health and building social skills and community connections,” Minister Street said.
“We want more people to have the opportunity to participate in the sport and recreation activity of their choice, knowing that living with disability doesn’t have to stop you.
“It’s great Tasmanians can come out to give blind golf a go as part of Blind Golf Tasmania’s come and try day at Kingston Beach.
“It could be one of these newcomers to the sport that will go on and represent Tasmania at national-level competitions or even Australia at international events.
“I congratulate the board of the Blind Golf Tasmania on establishing the organisation to provide opportunities to participate in golf for Tasmanians who may not have realised it was an option.
“Blind golf has four different sight categories to suit players from totally blind through to a sight acuity of less than 6/36, meaning that almost anyone with vision impairment will be eligible to give it a go.”
The Tasmanian Blind Golf Open will be held on 5-6 February 2024 at Kingston Beach Golf Club.
