United
States Blind Golf Association
In 1924, Clint Russell of Duluth, Minnesota lost his sight when a tire exploded in his face. In 1925, he began playing blind golf. Clint slowly reduced his scores and by early 1930 had shot an 84 for 18 holes.
In 1932, Robert Ripley's Believe It or Not carried an article on Clint as the world's only blind golfer. But six years later Ripley did a similar story, this time saying that Dr. Beach Oxenham of London, England was the "World's only blind golfer." Noting the discrepancy, several of Clint's friends challenged Ripley to sponsor the world's first blind golfer's championship. Ripley accepted. Then, on August 20, 1938, at the Ridgeview Country Club in Duluth, Minnesota, Mr. Russell defeated Dr. Oxenham, 5 and 4.
Because of the publicity, Clint Russell received communications from others who had lost their sight. In 1941, the second tournament was held between Clint and Marvin Shannon of Fort Worth, Texas. It was staged as three separate matches. Clint won the first. His opponent won the second. Unfortunately, Pearl Harbor prevented the third match.
Toward the close of World War II, Clint contacted several people in the Veterans Administration and suggested golf as therapy for those who had lost their sight. The Veterans Administration agreed. They have continued to offer golf as therapy to this day.
In 1946, a national blind golfers championship was played in Inglewood, California, this time with more than two golfers. Again, Clint Russell won. Coming in second was Charley Boswell, who had been blinded while trying to pull a buddy out of a burning tank during WWII.
As the number of blind golfers grew, Bob Allman, a blind golfer and lawyer, formed the United States Blind Golfers Association (USBGA) in 1953. Allman served as its first president followed by Joe Lazaro and Charley Boswell, who guided the USBGA from 1956 through 1976. Pat Browne served as president from 1976 until 1992. Bob Andrews held the position from 1992 thru 2002. Jim Baker was in office from 2002 thru 2006. Phil Blackwell took over in 2006.
Three golfers have dominated the championships. Pat Browne has taken first place 23 times, (an amazing 20 wins were consecutive), Charley Boswell 16 times, and Joe Lazaro 7 times. In 1998, Keith Melick won, ending Pat Browne’s 20-year winning streak. Pat holds the record for the lowest round ever shot in USBGA competition, a 74 at the Mission Hills Country Club.
Today there are several sanctioned regional blind golf tournaments. Until 1990 the USBGA National Championship was hosted at a different site around the country each year. From 1990 through 1997 the National Championship was played at the Lake Buena Vista Club, Disney World, Florida. The championship is now partnered with The Lions Clubs International and moves from state to state. The invitational Ken Venturi Guiding Eyes Classic, the "Masters" of blind golf, in Mount Kisco, New York, has been in existence since 1978. The Stewart Cup Match Play began in 1991 to mirror the Ryder Cup and was played until 1995. It was played every two years in alternate locations between the United States and England.
In 1998 the International Blind Golf Association was organized and the USBGA was one of the founding members. The IBGA hosts a world championship biennially in one of the 9 member countries. In 2006 the USBGA amended the association By-Laws to include B2 and B3 vision impaired associate members as full members with voting priveleges. The newly expanded board of seven will include three vision impaired and three totally blind members, plus the president, who must be a totally blind member. The vice president is chosen by the board of directors.
Last Updated Friday October 13, 2006 07:47 AM