When Winnipeg Beach’s John Sanderson stepped onto the fairway at the Gimli’s Links at the Lake golf course last week, it was more than just a round of golf — it was a return to confidence, community, and purpose.
Sanderson, one of about 16 blind golfers in Manitoba, was among 38 teams who competed at the Western Canadian Blind Golf Association (WCBGA) Championships, held in Gimli July 6 to 10. The event welcomed players from across Canada and the United States for 36 holes of competition — and a shared love of the game.
Sanderson, who golfed with his coach Larry Banks, was proud to compete on home turf with three other Manitoba teams. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa — a hereditary disease that causes vision loss — he began playing blind golf 14 years ago, when he had just one per cent of his vision remaining.
“Going blind is a horrible thing for anybody to go through,” he said. “It’s hard to adapt. I was constantly worrying about being blind in public. I didn’t want to go anywhere. I easily became a homebody because that’s where I felt comfortable and safe.
“When I started playing golf — although it was a hard transition — it changed my life in the best way possible. It gave me that confidence I needed to go out in public again. I no longer had that fear of being blind around others.”
Sanderson now plays in up to three tournaments annually, in addition to men’s league nights at Inwood Golf Club. He’s competed in almost every province and several U.S. states, building lasting friendships within a close-knit community of players.
“This golf community is like a big family,” he said. “It’s the people who inspire me to keep coming back. I’ve made so many friends over the years, and I always look forward to hanging with them.”
Traveling can still be difficult — especially navigating airports without sight — but he said the destination is always worth the journey.
“It’s not even the golfing I’m looking forward to,” he said. “While I always try to play the best I can, it’s more about being out there and spending the day on the golf course with people you feel safe and accepted by. That’s truly what makes blind golf special.”
Sanderson had a solid first round in Gimli before injuring his back on the first hole of Day 2, which limited his play. Still, he’s optimistic about his progress.
“I’ve been playing better recently. At the end of last season, I really started to kick things up,” he said. “This doesn’t come overnight. You have to learn the whole game all over again. But the more you play, the better you get.”
WCBGA president Darren Douma, who has 10 per cent of his vision remaining, said Gimli was a perfect host site for the championships.
“The bigger, flatter greens, wider fairways, fewer trees and shallower bunkers all make for a very blind-golf-friendly course,” said Douma, who lives in British Columbia and has been golfing since he was 10.
“Gimli also had fantastic accommodations. It was absolutely perfect.”
Players and guides stayed at the Lakeview Gimli Resort, and the tournament received strong local support. Bulldog Demolition and the Winnipeg Beach and Dunnottar Lakeside Lions each contributed $5,000 to the event, and Lions Club members volunteered throughout the week.
Championship winners were recognized in five categories:
Overall: Champion – Colton Cuvelier (Winnipeg), Runner-up – Robert Gentil-Perret (Prince Albert, Sask.)
Ladies: Champion – Julie Moroney (Victoria, B.C.), Runner-up – Johanna Camarta (Edmonton, Alta.)
B1 Men’s: Champion – Darcy Furber (Winnipeg), Runner-up – Hatson Foulds (Mipiwon, Ont.)
B2 Men’s: Champion – Jeff Skemer (Kelowna, B.C.), Runner-up – Rick Kush (Guelph, Ont.)
B3 Men’s: Champion – Colin Marnoch (Winnipeg), Runner-up – Umesh Singh (Victoria, B.C.)
Next up for many blind golfers, including Sanderson and Douma, are the Ontario Open, Canadian Open and Blind Golf World Championships, all taking place in Simcoe, Ont., in early August.
Douma said the sport welcomes players of all skill levels. Golfers are classified into one of three categories: B1 for total vision loss, B2 for up to five per cent vision, and B3 for up to 10 per cent.
“We want to remain as inclusive as possible,” said Douma. “We allow all skill levels to play and compete at the championships.”
Sanderson hopes more people will give the sport a try.
“I want to let everyone know to not give up golf just because you are blind,” he said. “Blind Golf Canada will point you in the right direction — and hopefully change your world like it did mine.”
To learn more about Blind Golf Canada, visit www.blindgolfcanada.ca. For other blind sport opportunities in Manitoba, visit www.manitobasports.com.
