[Sportsandrec] NFB Golf Tournament

[Peter Donahue]

Good morning everyone,

     Since the national convention is approaching and the Sports and 
Recreation Division has many activities planned and has its annual 
meeting during the convention I wanted to suggest an initiative for this 
division to consider.

     Many other organizations hold golf tournaments to raise funds and 
to promote their organization. Some of these include guide dog schools, 
and lighthouses for the blind to name a few. Many of these charities 
attract big name golfers to participate in these events and they raise 
vast amounts of money for the group in question. Cornerstone Church in 
San Antonio holds what it calls the "Pastor's Cup" to raise funds to 
operate Cornerstone Christian School (CSS.) The tournament is held at 
the Tournament Players Club (TPC) course in San Antonio. It is preceded 
by a "Legacy Banquet" to educate participants concerning the programs 
offered by CCS and to recognize individuals that have contributed to 
Cornerstone Christian School in various ways in the past year. Two other 
banquet activities include a putting contest and a golf ball drop. Those 
not wanting to participate in the golf tournament itself can buy a golf 
ball for $25.00 in their own name or in the name of a CCS student to 
contribute to their education at this institution. The golf balls are 
taken up in a helicopter and dropped on to a green in the back of the 
church. The ball bought by the person that lands in the hole or closest 
to it wins a jackpot prize. Last year it was $5000.00.

     In addition to being a fundraiser for the NFB this event could be 
used to promote golf as a sport for the blind. Blind golfers should be 
encouraged to participate in this event. In addition to the U.S. Blind 
Golf Association a number of other agencies for the blind around the 
country hold golf clinics and encourage their blind participants to 
participate in golf tournaments.

     Here's hoping this division can spearhead an effort to inaugurate 
an NFB golf tournament to raise badly-needed funds and to serve as 
another way to get blind persons physically fit. Although we won't be at 
this year's national convention it seems like this is an event worth 
considering. All the best.

Peter Donahue who looks forward to turning on The Golf Channel to watch 
the NFB Classic where the skills of blind and sighted golfers are pitted 
against each other to promote the abilities for the blind and to 
increase funding for the National Federation of the Blind.