MELVILLE Golf Centre stepped in to host the Westerners Blind Golf Club (WBGC) earlier this month as it finds itself temporarily without a home because of upgrades to the Lake Claremont Golf Course.
WBGC president Beryl Mathews said 14 blind or vision-impaired golfers enjoyed their first experience of the Leeming course and thanked the centre for its hospitality.
“We usually play every Friday at Lake Claremont but now that it’s shutting down for nine months we’re looking for a new home,” she said.
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Mrs Mathews said one of the club’s handicappers had approached Melville Golf Centre director Des Sheedy about hosting the WBGC for a round.
“Des was more than happy for us to come and have a go and judging by the reaction of our members everyone enjoyed the game,” she said.
Despite being unable to see the ball or the lay of the course, WBGC members remain serious about their golf with many regularly competing in State championships.
“We range in age from 22 upwards and our handicaps are from 9-31, with most in the 11-16 range,” Mrs Mathews said.
“We have caddies that describe the course, point us in the right direction and line our golf clubs up before each shot.
“Then it’s all up to us and we take it very seriously – if you swing and miss that counts as a stroke.”
Mrs Mathews said the club’s main focus was companionship and providing support and encouragement to get vision-impaired people out of the house.
Anybody interested in learning more about the club can phone Beryl Mathews on 9343 2430.