Page Posted
Sunday, August 19, 2007
The Midnight Golfer Newsletter
Late Summer 2007
A
Note From The Editor
On behalf of the Board of the United States Blind Golf Association the editor would like to sincerely thank those individuals who contributed to this issue. It has been a learning process taking on the duties of publishing the Midnight Golfer and many thanks go out to those who offered their assistance. The Communication Committee strives to make many improvements in upcoming volumes. Thanks in advance for your patience as we continue to become more adept at this process.
Table of Contents
Secretary & Treasurer Tina Andrews Steps Down
Board Election Results From Portland
2006 National Championship Portland, Oregon
The
Board of the United States Blind Golf Association is saddened to announce the
passing of two of our members: Judge Richard Conway Casey and Bob Shifley.
Both individuals were longtime members of our organization; Judge Casey
had been a member since 1998 and Mr. Shifley since 1997.
They will be sadly missed by the community of blind golf.
On behalf of the membership, we offer condolences to their family and
friends.
By
Tom Mirus
It
is a good time to remind everyone that one of the reasons the USBGA enjoys the
reputation it has is because we pride ourselves on playing by the same rules as
sighted players. I realize that our
members do not always have as many opportunities to play as others and that many
players have more than one coach throughout the year.
However, in golf, it is always the player’s responsibility to know the
rules and to abide by them. You
should study Rule 6, which is about the player’s responsibilities (one of
which is to know the other 33 rules!).
Since
the USBGA national tournament is fast approaching, I want to remind everyone
that in order to know how to apply any rule, you have to understand the
Definitions in the front of the rulebook. There are 50 defined terms in
"The Rules of Golf". These terms identify and clarify various parts of
the golf course, items found on the course and people on the golf course.
Throughout the Rulebook the 50 defined terms appear in italics.
You
need to know the difference between a “loose impediment” and an
“obstruction”. You need to know
what “through the green” means. Do
you know what an “outside agency’ is?
The first step in answering a question on the Rules or in making a ruling
is to know precisely who was involved and where the incident took place. The fact is that you cannot understand the rules of golf
unless you understand the definitions.
And,
in case anyone thinks a Rules Official’s Job is easy, consider that there are
over 1,200 “Decisions” on the rules of golf.
Plus, every two years, changes are made to the Decisions book on the
rules of golf. In 2006 there were
111 changes in the Decisions Book that a Rules Official should carry at every
tournament.
We should always
play by the Rules when we play golf. It
is most important that we do so at our sanctioned tournaments.
There are many people watching at our tournaments, such as spectators,
media, scorekeepers and other volunteers. We
have seen in the past that scorekeepers do not always know the rules (nor is it
their responsibility). The
integrity of the USBGA along with your personal reputation is always on display
at our tournaments. The Rules are there to help us all and I am committed to
keeping our tournaments the showcase for blind golf that they are.
Let’s have another good tournament season!
By
Bruce Hooper
A
player’s ball comes to rest in the middle of a cart path and the player is
right handed. On the left side of
the cart path across from his ball, is a large tree.
In taking relief from the cart path, the player must determine his
nearest point.
Where
is the nearest point of relief going to be?
A.
Since the
ball lies in the middle of the cart path, you can choose
either side to determine your
nearest point.
B.
Your
nearest point would be on the right side, because the tree
would interfere with dropping the
ball on the left of the cart path.
C.
Your
nearest point would be in the tree on the left side of the cart path.
Check
with Vice President Bruce Hooper for the correct answer!
President
Jim Baker Steps Down
By
Bill McMahon
In
2002 Jim Baker was elected President of the United States Blind Golf Association
after being on the Executive Board for seven years. Jim, who succeeded Bob
Andrews as President, served two terms as president from September 2002 through
October 2006.
Jim
is originally from Seattle, WA where he graduated from the University of
Washington with a BA in Zoology in 1980. He later graduated from the Ohio State
University Dental School in 1984 and practiced Dentistry in Ohio before losing
his sight in December 1986. In July 1987 he began working in Nashville, TN as a
Corporate Recruiter, which he did for fifteen years. In June of 2006, after a
year of training, Jim launched a new career as the manager of a vending facility
located about an hour west of Nashville.
Jim
first heard about the USBGA and blind golf after talking to David Meador in 1992
and qualified to play in the USBGA National Championship in Orlando later that
year. Before going blind, Jim was
an avid golfer and played to a 9-handicap. Jim and coach Kyle Seeley were
victorious in the 56th USBGA
National Championship held at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, NC on
November 6-7, 2001.
During
Jim's four years as president, he also directed the USBGA Junior golf program
and helped secure four United States Golf Association grants for over $41,000
from 2003-06. The steady growth of the USBGA junior golf program during these
four years culminated with over 500 blind and vision impaired students being
introduced to golf in the 20 clinics and multiple-session programs in 2006.
Like
all blind golfers, Jim has been assisted by a number of highly qualified coaches
who have contributed greatly to the success he has had as a player. Longtime
coach and friend, Kyle Seeley from Nashville has been with Jim at most of the
last twelve National Championships and GECs. Also, stepbrother Gary Popp from
Oregon coached Jim at a couple of Nationals and GECs early in his blind golfing
career, and stepbrother Tom Pop and brother Mike Baker have coached him in some
regional tournaments. In addition, Jim’s parents, Larry and Mary Jane Popp,
have been extremely supportive of blind golf until Larry’s passing in June,
2005. Since then, Mary Jane has helped at Check-In with Barbara Gooden and many
other duties as needed at the last two USBGA National Championships.
Although
no longer involved with USBGA politics, Jim is still contributing to blind golf
on a local level in Nashville. He continues to direct a blind and vision
impaired golf program with the Tennessee PGA office involving students from the
Tennessee School for the blind, as well as adults from the Nashville area. This
program was started in January 2000, by Jim and fellow USBGA blind golfers David
Meador and Dan Dillon.
The
current USBGA board would like to take this opportunity to thank Jim for his
years of service on behalf of the USBGA. Jim’s hard work and dedication to our
organization has brought further national recognition to the USBGA and blind
golf from many of the stewards and supporters of golf including the USGA, the
PGA, the First Tee, and Lions Clubs International.
Secretary/Treasurer
Tina Andrews Steps Down
By
Dick Pomo
On
behalf of the members of the United States Blind Golf Association (USBGA), we
would like to extend our heart felt thanks to the past Secretary-Treasurer, Tina
Andrews, for her many years of dedicated service to our organization. She
volunteered her time from 1991 to 2002. When the USBGA received a grant from
Lions International in 2002 she became a part time employee.
Most
current and past members realize that when any information was needed, or if a
question had to be answered, Tina was the person to call. Among Tina’s various
skills, was her ability to refer folks to appropriate people or resources
concerning blind golf. Her quick response to requested information, combined
with her ability to thoroughly respond to new applicants interested in playing
blind golf, played a significant roll in the growth of blind and visually
impaired golf in the United States.
Tina
became actively involved in working with blind golf with her husband Bob in
1990. She vividly remembers attending the Stewart Cup competition in England
with Bob during that year as his coach. While there, Tina discussed the need for
a newsletter, and while some doubted it would work, the first edition of The
Midnight Golfer went to press in the spring of 1991. The first article “Bright
Idea” appeared on the front page. It was also during this edition that Tina
and Bob came up with the idea for a column called “Scuttlebutt” which in
1998 was renamed Scuttle-Putts. This was a way of sharing information about and
from members. The Midnight golfer was sent to over 400 individuals and reached
out not only to blind or visually impaired golfers, but was circulated to
interested individuals in the golfing industry and served as a valuable handout
for a variety of presentations.
By
1997 Tina felt that a website would be advantageous and she developed our
website blindgolf.com. She designed, updated, and maintained it for 8 years.
Many members will recall that in 1998 with the diligence of husband Bob, she
helped organize and carry out the World Blind Golf Championships that were held
at Greenleaf Golf Resort just south of Orlando. Of significance was also the
fact that this was the first tournament in which visually impaired golfers were
invited to participate. Tina not
only handled most of the details for this tournament, but also not having
enough, organized a trip to Epcot for some twenty plus blind and visually
impaired international golfers. They still talk about the great time they had at
Disney with Tina.
Tina
recalls many highlights during her tenure with the USBGA. She remembers that in
1994 she accompanied Bob to Japan for the first Japan Blind Golf Open. It was at
this tournament that talk and negotiations began to form the International Blind
Golf Association (IBGA). From these early negotiations the International Blind
Golf Association was formed. IBGA developed the standards for blind golf
throughout the world.
In
that same year, Tina and Bob developed the logo pin that is used today. They
redesigned the logo to have a reflection of the flag in the sunglasses.
Those
of us, who have participated in various national tournaments, realize how
fortunate we were to have someone with Tina’s organizational skills to see
that things flowed right. She could often be heard guiding hotel banquet
planning staff to help them ensure that dinner and entertainment plans would go
off as scheduled.
Finally,
Tina remembers most, those tournaments where people came together not only to
play golf, but also to share in good times. She remembers folks caring about
each other, and while golf brought folks together, friendships kept folks coming
back each year.
Thanks
Tina, we’ll miss you!!
Elections
at the annual meeting in Portland, Oregon, October 2, 2006 brought in a new
president, 3 vision impaired members, and one new B1 member. In March of 2006
the USBGA amended the association By-Laws to include B2 and B3 vision impaired
associate members as full members with voting privileges. The newly
expanded board of seven is:
Executive
Committee
President Phil Blackwell
Vice President (elected by the
board) Bruce Hooper
Board
Members
Bill McMahon
Sheila Drummond
Walter Dietz
Tim Jackson
Mark Arnold
Two
positions are up for election in 2007 at the National Meeting in Philadelphia, 1
B1 position and the combined Vision Impaired position. Members interested in seeking these positions are urged to
contact any member of the Board as soon as possible for details.
2006
National Championship Portland, Oregon
By
Ron Plath
The
2006 United States Blind Golf National Championship was played on October 3rd
and 4th at Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City, Oregon.
This was the second time the USBGA had played their national event in my
home state, the first being in 2003.
There
were 23 players in the tournament and I believe everyone was surprised that IT
DIDN’T Rain! This was especially
pleasing to me as the reputation the northwest has for soggy weather can
actually be true at times!
Stone
Creek Golf Club is owned by Clackamas County and was in great shape for the
event. We had many county employees
volunteer their time as scorekeepers, forecaddies and even coaches.
I was told after the event that all involved had a great time and would
love to have the USBGA return in the near future.
On
Monday October 2nd many players participated in a charity golf event
sponsored by the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation.
Proceeds from the tournament support the Oregon Eye Bank.
As part of the day’s activities a junior golf clinic featured over 30
boys and girls from the Oregon and Washington Schools for the Blind.
The instruction for the clinic was provided by the staff at The Reserve
Vineyard and Golf Club, the First Tee staff and employees from Nike Golf.
The
national tournament was competitive in all three-sight categories.
Phil Blackwell and his coach Earl Meece won the b1 division with a
two-day total of 202. Bruce Hooper
and his coach Judy Hooper prevailed in the b2 division with a total of 165 and I
was lucky to finish on top of the b3 division with a total of 156.
This was an especially memorable time for me as my father Ace Plath was
my coach and my mother Vi was a supportive gallery.
The
Boswell Trophy for low net in the b1 division was won by Bob Andrews and his
coach Joe McCourt with a total of 134. The
b2/b3 winner was Tim Jackson and Coach Carey Dean with a total of 143 and the
senior champion was Dick Pomo and Coach Ernie Nessinger with a total of 151.
The
Lazaro trophy for most improved b1 player was awarded to David Wall and his
coach Walter Wall and in the b2/b3 division were Jim Durand and his coach Steve
Olson.
One
of the highlights of the event was a Hole-In-One by Charlie Adams.
I was fortunate to be playing with Charlie at the time and I can attest
it was a fantastic experience! I
could be mistaken but I believe that this was the first time a blind or visually
impaired golfer has scored an “Ace” during competition.
Hats off to Charlie!
I
truly appreciated all of the players and coaches that traveled out west and I
hope that the people in Oregon can host the event again in the near future!
By
Mark Arnold
Charles
Adams will never forget the sounds after his tee shot on the 102-yard 14th
hole at Stone Creek Golf Club last October.
First came the hard smack of a clean hit and then two bounces as the ball
hit the green.
"Go
in, go in," someone yelled.
Then
screams and cheers from the small crowd watching the final round of the U.S.
Blind Golf Association National Championship.
It could only mean one thing.
Adams,
who is legally blind, had just hit the first hole-in-one in the 61-year history
of the tournament. With a hazard in
front, elevation gain and only a 15-yard green, the 14th hole is
known as the toughest par-3 on the 18-hole course, owned and operated by
Clackamas County.
"It's
a precision shot, big time," said Doug Suse, a golf professional at Stone
Creek Golf Club.
Adams,
who lost nearly all his eyesight to a brain tumor 10 years ago, has been a
member of the USBGA since 2001. Fellow
golfers describe Adams as a man with a reputation for overcoming the odds.
"I'm
usually pretty shy, but without golf I wouldn't have anything else," Adams
said after the tournament.
By
Everett Davis
As
a reminder, during a USBGA sanctioned event, players and coaches should take
care to follow the criteria listed below before turning in their official card:
Print
names and scores clearly
Print
both the player’s first and last name
The
card must be signed and dated by either the player or coach
The
appointed marker (scorekeeper) must also sign the card
Calculation Of Official IBGA Handicaps
Four
or more scores are required to have a handicap.
Only competitive scores and those meeting the criteria outlined below may
be used for handicap calculation.
A
player’s handicap is calculated by averaging the difference between the
Adjusted Gross Score and Par for the course being played.
Only scores from the last 2 years may be used.
10 posted scores
- the average of the best 5
scores is used
8 or 9 posted scores
- the average of the best 4 scores is used
6 or 7 posted scores
- the average of the best 3 scores is used
5 posted scores - the
average of the best 2 scores is used
4 posted scores - The
best-posted score is used
Only
the last 10 rounds will be used for handicap purposes.
Handicaps
will be rounded to the nearest whole number.
Qualifying Rounds
Rules
for rounds to qualify for a tournament are different than rounds to be used for
handicap calculations. These
comments are specific to rounds for handicap purposes.
·
A
Qualifying Round may be any round played in a Blind Golf Tournament where the
card is marked by another competitor or appointed marker.
·
A
Qualifying Round must be played on a course with a par of at least 68.
·
A
Qualifying Round may be played on a designated date with the card signed by a
marker having an official local handicap. A
letter verifying the round signed by an official of the host course must
accompany the card.
New
USBGA members may submit four Qualifying Rounds in their first year of
membership. Only two Qualifying
Scores may be submitted after the first year.
Hope to see
you all in Philadelphia for the
USBGA 62nd
National Championship!
“You don’t have to see it to tee it!”