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Belfast`s Belvoir Park Golf Club will host the World Blind Golf Championships from 10 - 12 August.
Held every two years, this fascinating event will feature more than 50 of the world`s top blind golfers, including current World Champions, Jenny McCallum from Australia and Simon Cookson from England.
Also coming are Bob Andrews, from the US, blinded by a mine in Vietnam, Diana Thiselton, from Australia, who has walked the Himalayas, and the world`s oldest blind golfer, Jim Watt, from Scotland who is a mere 92.
Blind Golf is played almost entirely within the rules of the Royal and Ancient Rules of Golf, with the golfer assisted by a sighted guide or caddy, who gives verbal information on distance, direction and characteristics of each hole.
One of the driving forces behind bringing the Championships to the city is Jan Dinsdale from Comber. Jan is one of the top lady blind golfers in the world. She is the current USA Open Champion, top European lady, and ranked third in the World. Jan also is Vice President of the governing body of the International Blind Golf Association.
Jan commented:
"The last two Championships were held in Tokyo Japan in 2006 and in Melbourne Australia in 2004, so it`s a special honour, and something of a coup, for Europe and Belfast to be chosen."
"We`re extremely grateful to Belvoir Park Golf Club and its special committee for all their tremendous support and expertise. Their course is in excellent condition, and will present our golfers with a real challenge."
"We also have an exciting programme of events prepared for our guests from all over the world, including tours and a special reception at Stormont. Sport NI and Belfast City Council have been marvellous in facilitating us, and all our sponsors have been very generous."
Officially announcing details of the event, Olympic gold medallist, Dame Mary Peters donned a blindfold for the occasion, "to get a more realistic feel of the challenges facing blind golfers."
Dame Mary said:
"I have been a lifelong supporter of investment in sport for the disabled.
"I`m delighted to lend my support to this unique event and to congratulate all those involved in bringing it to Northern Ireland. I wish the players every success as they battle it out for world-class honours in this challenging sports environment.
"I would also encourage the public to come along to Belvoir in great numbers, and see for themselves what a high standard of golf is set by these amazing sportspeople."
Captain of Belvoir Park Golf Club, Keith Harper, said:
"We are delighted to have been selected to host this unique event. We have been investing significantly in developing our course over recent years.
We have just recently held the prestigious Irish Close competition. Our course is of true Championship standard, and we look forward to an exciting competition."
Lady Captain Margaret Allen added:
"We have also just opened our new multi-million pound clubhouse, of which we are very proud, and which is of world class standard. Support events for the Blind Golf Championships will include a Pro-Am on the Sunday which will feature many local celebrities, as well as golf professionals"
Eamonn McCartan, CEO of Sport Northern Ireland, said:
"Blind golf played at this level is a highly competitive and demanding sport. Northern Ireland has an excellent track record both in the quality of our blind players and in expertise in holding events.
"We have previously hosted the Blind Golf British Open, and will do so again this year in Masserene Golf Club, Antrim. Enthusiastic support for such important events for disabled sportspeople is a core element in the Draft Strategy for Sport."
Belfast`s Lord Mayor, Tom Hartley, was also positive in his support.
"We are proud to assist this event through our `Support for Sport` scheme, and delighted to be working in partnership with Belvoir Park Golf Club and Disability Sport NI to deliver this prestigious competition. We look forward to warmly welcoming guests and to a highly successful World Championships in our city."
The event is officially hosted by the Northern Ireland Blind Golf Association. Spokesman Tony McEvoy commented:
"We have some experience of organising big events, but never anything on this scale. It`s a huge undertaking but we`re confident we can deliver a top quality world-class event, especially with the support of our key partner Belvoir, as well as the Sport Northern Ireland, Tourist Board, the City Council and other generous sponsors.
"We are encouraged by the boost this will give to Blind Golf in Northern Ireland, particularly in attracting more young blind golfers to take up the sport"
Barry Macaulay, Senior Manager for the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), stated:
"This is a wonderful opportunity to raise the profile of blind sport in Northern Ireland, and particularly blind golf. RNIB NI will continue to work with the NI Blind Golf Association to ensure there is a legacy from the event and that more people with sight loss, particularly young people, have the opportunity to get involved in golf`." |
