The inaugural ‘Cloud’ Blind Golf Championship that took place at various golf courses across the country proved to be well received.

With the hard work of Creston, BC’s Darren Douma, president of the Western Canadian Blind Golf Association and the vice president of Blind Golf Canada, along with Doug Hastie from British Columbia Golf, sight-impaired golfers from BC to Ontario were able to play rounds at a home course or one near their residence and submit scores to be compared on the basis of the course rating.

Using this method, players were able to play at a time that worked for them and not have to be concerned with travel, which was a big benefit both for health & safety reasons and without incurring the added expense.

In Blind Golf, players are categorized by their level of sight impairment. B1 players are totally blind, up to B3, comprised of golfers who have vision from 20/200 to 20/600. All are classified as legally blind.

Blind golfers have handicaps just like sighted players and compete against one another in both gross (total strokes, not using handicaps) and net events (includes handicaps). There are some modifications to the Rules of Golf to accommodate blind golfers. e.g. clubs can be grounded in bunkers.

The role of the caddie/coach in blind golf is very important. Guides generally align players, often place club heads directly behind the golf ball, and follow the flight of the ball. The guide also ensures the player’s safety when moving about the golf course.

Due to the success of this event, talk had begun with the hope of arranging a North American Blind Golf ‘Cloud’ Championship.

2020 BC Blind Golf ‘Cloud’ Championship Final Results

Overall Low Net Champion Johanna Camarta 123.8

Westlock, AB Coach: Ron Camarta

Overall Low Net Runner-Up    Kiefer Jones 129.2

Calgary, AB Coach: Deb Frey

B1 (No Vision) Low Gross Category

Winner: Joe Furber 222

Winnipeg, Manitoba Coach: Francis Oliver

Runner-Up: Gerry Nelson 225

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Coach: Chris Villeneuve

B2 (5 percent Vision) Low Gross Category

Winner: Darcy Furber 179

Winnipeg, Manitoba Coach: Ron Oliver

Runner-Up: Kevin Frost 195

Ottawa, Ontario Coach: Loretta Lachance

B3 (10 percent Vision) Low Gross Category

Winner: Kiefer Jones 141

Calgary Alberta Coach: Deb Frey

Runner-Up: Reg Opersko 165 Waterford, Ontario

Ladies Low Gross Champion

Johanna Camarta-Westlock, AB  208

Coach: Ron Camarta

Ladies Low Net Champion

Lillian Haas- Winnipeg, Manitoba 133.4

Coach Gordon Melnyk