Holt, ABDGA offer free clinic to visually impaired golfers
GILROY – Roy Holt and the American Blind and Disabled Golf Association have a mission to make sure that no matter how visually impaired an individual is that they can still come out to the links and enjoy the sport of golf.
Holt – along with Gilroy Golf Course Head Pro Don DeLorenzo – hosted the ABDGA’s 10th free clinic for three impaired golfers from the Rose Resnik’s Lighthouse in San Francisco. The annual ABDGA golf tournament at Eagle Ridge in September raises the funds necessary for Holt to offer his expertise.
With four first-year nurses from the University of San Francisco accompanying them as well as Tony Fletcher, the community services director for the Lighthouse, and Robin Wadsworth from the city of San Francisco – Don Megargel, Alfred Ngantung and Harry Mar were treated to a two-hour lesson at Gilroy GC.
“I just want them to know they have the opportunity to play golf at a competitive or recreational level. Anyone with a disability can do it,” said Holt, who is the nation’s top ranked visually impaired golfer. “They feel their life’s over. I try to interject some energy into them that they can still go out and enjoy life.”
Megargel, 63, had never played golf before except miniature golf but was interested in learning the game after the program was offered by the Lighthouse.
“Something new. Something to do. It’s fun. I didn’t think I would be able to hit it at all,” said the left-handed golfer, who was consistently connecting on his swings at the driving range. “It was a surprise, especially when I’m told it goes up in the air.
Ngantung, originally from Indonesia, was the only of the three who was completely blind in both eyes. After a couple of practice swings and some adjustments from Holt, the first-time golfer was also hitting the ball off the tee.
“He helps to break down the barriers. We would like to come down here quarterly or even on a monthly basis,” Fletcher said.
Mar, 53, was first diagnosed with Retinis Pigmentosa, a degeneration of the retna, in 1969 at a pre-Draft exam when he was only 18-years old. He has slowly watched as his vision got worse, starting with loss of sight at night.
“I played golf in school and I always wanted to get back to it,” said Mar, who is originally from Kansas. “As my vision got worse, I gave it up. I couldn’t see the ball so how was I going to hit the ball.”
Mar – who first met Holt during the tournament at Eagle Ridge – attended Kansas State University and picked up the game there. Mar and his roommates all shared one bag of clubs.
“I was just a duffer,” said Mar, who learned the mechanics of his swing during Tuesday’s lesson. “I looked on a map and saw all the golf courses in San Francisco and thought wouldn’t it be a kick if we could hit every golf course on the peninsula.”
