Paul Appleyard from San Roque Club is a partially sighted golfer who has a form of Macular Degeneration. Paul has had the condition all his adult life and took up golf around 15 years ago and now, as well as playing at least twice a week, he also works within the golfing industry.
Paul hasn’t played blind golf events for a few years but recently returned to it with the kind support of local companies Med Golf, Barclays and, his main supporter, Saccone and Speed.
Paul has represented England at golf twice and was also England number 1 in 07/08 and came tied 3rd in the World Championships in 2008 and said about his ‘come back’, “I reached my goal of becoming a single figure handicap golfer and I wanted to set some new goals. I am now working toward the 2014 World Championships and, who knows, hopefully the Olympics in 2016 when golf is included for the very first time.”
Denis Lafferty is the Managing Director of Saccone and Speed who is Paul’s main supporter in his efforts to hit the world of blind golf once more. Denis said of Paul, “I have played with Paul a few times now and it never ceases to amaze me when I see him play. When he explains to me what he can and cannot see it blows me away that he can even hit the ball never mind play like he does. Saccone and Speed are delighted to be able to help Paul with his attempt to become World Champion.”
There are 3 levels of blind golf, B1 – which is what most people stereotypically think of when the word ‘blind’ is mentioned. B1 golfers cannot see a thing or at best very vague shadows. B3 golfers, the category that Paul is in, have much better vision than the B1s but it is severe enough to be registered as blind. B2 golfers are somewhere in-between.
Paul has blurred vision with only peripheral vision and no central vision.
For all you golfers out there who may wonder what the difference is between regular golf and blind golf, it’s simple, there are 2 differences. Blind or partially sighted golfers can rest their club in a hazard such as a bunker to feel where the surface is but not to test it and secondly they can use a ‘guide’ who acts as their eyes. The guide can do absolutely anything for the player, except hit the shot of course. Other than that it’s exactly the same.
Paul starts his 2012/13 season on September 9 at Potters Bar Golf Club in Hertfordshire, England just prior to giving it his all in Italy from 1-5 October.
Anyone wishing to know more about blind golf can find Paul at San Roque Golf Club or Alcaidesa Golf Club most days or contact Paul on paul@medgolfsecure.com