[Sportsandrec] Golf

Fri Nov 18 02:48:01 UTC 2016

Hi, 
I don't get the whole  verying amounts of site as it  relates to this sport. Why are the golfers not all blind folded like in most other sports for the blind.  In my opinion some sports  amount of site is irelivent  but other sports it makes  a difference.  I don't golf so I can not address this save to say that if it is at all apercieved issue. Then blindfold every one. 
Some sports I know that it is a huge issue that all be blindfolded is beepball and goalball and Darts,   
 OK not to pick a fight but if they were to make a rule that all be blindfolded and someone did not want to do that then I would say just  take your clubs and go elsewhere. You do not need any special accomadations to golf you just need a partner that can guide you through the corce and spot for you.  Again since I do not golf  that is all I will say on the  topic, 
I would like to try it but am unwilling to spend that much of our limited budget on that. 
  Robert. 

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter Donahue via SportsandRec
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 8:29 PM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
Cc: Peter Donahue
Subject: [Sportsandrec] Golf

Hello Ashley and everyone,

	The United States Blind Golf Association has been around for years but I'm not sure if there are any NFB Members of that organization. One of the reasons why there hasn't been much mention of the USBGA among the NFB is their rules for blind golfers which are formed around the higherarchey of sight the belief that one has ability based on the amount of vision they have. They seem to feel that partially sighted golfers have an advantage over totally blind golfers due to their having some usable vision. They forget that some holes are designed in such a way that even fully sighted players often lose sight of the ball so that idea is out the window. At one time membership in the USBGA was restricted to only totally blind golfers. Perhaps someone from the USBGA should be invited to present at a future S&R meeting or phone conference. Perhaps a partnership with this organization could help fix the issue of the belief that golfers with some usable vision have an advantage. They could also be helpful in creating a golf tournament to help raise funds for the NFB and to introduce more blind people to the sport. There are a few articles that appeared in Future Reflections concerning some school-aged blind golfers. See you on the "Old Course" at St. Andrews.

Peter Donahue

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley Bramlett via SportsandRec
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 5:22 PM
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
Cc: Ashley Bramlett
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Sports Done by the Blind but not Discussed

Hello,

good point. I've met federationists doing outdoor sports, but not golf. I would guess why we do not hear of it is because no federationist participates in golf. And, if there is someone, they are not active in NFB so we do not hear of their hobby.
It seems to me that blind people here in Northern Virginia / DC do one of five sports. Most sports are outside and sponsored by USABA at the olympic level. Unfortunately, I wanted to participate in a blind bowling league, but we did not get enough interest to make it happen. The Capital area rail blazers, a bowling league for the blind and vision impaired, was around for years. But one by one, members dropped out due to lack of interest, moving further away from the alley, and other reasons. So, with lack of interest, CARF did not exist.
The sports NFB members seem to do that I hear about are as follows:
1. Tandem cycling
2. running
3. judo
4. hiking
5. beep ball
Oh, and I know of a few who regularly do yoga, but I do not consider it a sport.

Other things people do on an ocasional basis that are recreational or relaxational are: indoor rock climbing, hiking, rafting, boating, canoeing, and dancing.

That has been my observations around here.

Ashley
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Donahue via SportsandRec
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 11:19 AM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
Cc: Peter Donahue
Subject: [Sportsandrec] Sports Done by the Blind but not Discussed

Good morning everyone,

Speaking of starting conversations blind people have participated in many sports and recreational activities over the years but some of these pursuits are hardly ever discussed here. Golf is one such example. The United States Blind Golf Association has been around for years but we never hear of successful blind golfers. The sport seems laid back at first but it's a test of concentration, strategy, endurance, and patience! It would be nice to hear from blind golfers.

And speaking of golf the PGA and the LPGA raise funds for many organizations. Many of the golf tournaments aired on stations like "The Golf Channel" are held to benefit this or that charity. In addition individual golfers raise funds for various charities in the form of contributions from their earnings. One would think that by now someone in the NFB and in particular this division would have explored the idea of a golf tournament being established to raise funds for the NFB and to promote the sport among the blind by including blind golfers in the tournament. This is something this division should explore. Such a project should be a team effort and should not be handed to one person to bring it about. There are probably other types of sporting activities and tournaments that could be organized to benefit the NFB and in particular this division.

Blind people have hunted, fished, skied,participated in rodeos and other animal-related sports and recreational activities, canoed, sailed, participate in rowing and other boating contests, the list goes on. Here's hoping this note will spawn discussions of these activities and how these opportunities can be expanded to encourage the blind to participate, and reep the benefit of increased physical activities. I have yet to learn how just playing board games helps one keep in shape. This seems to be the only recreational activity we hear about being done by the blind in San Antonio and throughout the country. Let the discussion begin.

Peter Donahue

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ron Burzese via SportsandRec
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 9:03 AM
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
Cc: Ron Burzese
Subject: [Sportsandrec] Fwd: Riding by faith, not by sight.

As I forward this, said burrito is crisping in the skillet.

Since this list is quiet, I thought I’d throw this out there. If any of the bike speak is unclear, let me know. If any of you ride, I’d love your submissions for the blind, cycling list.

Best,

Ron Burzese, NOMC
37 degrees in Sacramento

> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Ron Burzese <rrburzese at gmail.com>
> Subject: Riding by faith, not by sight.
> Date: November 16, 2016 at 10:16:30 PM PST
> To: blind_cycling at yahoogroups.com
>
> Taylor, one of the guys from a weekly men’s Bible study, offered to 
> ride with me this week. I had forgotten that I even mentioned it to 
> him. We met this morning, at 7:30. The temp was around 46f. Since he 
> was a casual rider at best, I dressed accordingly, with jeans, 
> t-shirt, walking shoes, and a windbreaker that I’ve had since I was 
> 13, in Clearwater, 1981. It bears the name of my departed father’s 
> pizza place, which has been in our family, since 1969. I chose it 
> because it was the right weight for the conditions. Though I might not 
> always mention it here, I always wear a helmet.
>
> I brought out the urban-assault tandem, which is currently set up for 
> my lovely girlfriend, who is 5’4”. Now Taylor, is at least 5’8, if not 
> 5’10, or taller. I mentioned that we’d need to raise his saddle, as I 
> held him up, from the back seat. He asked me to lower it, though my 
> neighbor, Billy and I tried to briefly explain the mechanics of a 
> proper pedal-stroke. He wanted no part of it, so I let him set the lower height.
>
> In the second block, he moved over to the bike lane, for the 
> west-bound traffic. We, were traveling east-bound, if you know what I’m sayin’.
> Hearing the parked cars, close to my left ear, then oncoming traffic, 
> on my right, was very disconcerting to me. I even heard other cyclists 
> passing us, on our right. Seasoned cyclist that I am, I was like, so 
> embarrassed, and fearing for my life, as I asked Taylor to cross-over 
> to the right side of the road. He tried to defend his logic, but I 
> would not budge on this point. He looked back and merged right, across 
> at least two lanes. As he began to initiate the merge, he clipped my 
> freshly rubberized handle bar-end, on a trash canister, since it was 
> garbage truck day. He thought the front tire was squishy, but I 
> explained that it was simply the suspension fork, compressing beneath his weight.
>
> After going east on T Street, we headed north, on 20th Street. A 
> classy female cyclist, complimented us on the tandem, so I gave her a 
> squeak with my kitty-cat horn, before reaching C Street, where we 
> caught the access trail, over the river, to the American River Bike 
> Trail, headed for William Pond Park. We settled into a nice cadence 
> and I was happy that I picked the correct layers for the ride. There 
> were lots of dried leaves, crunching under our wheels. Taylor is a 
> seminary student, so was discussing theology with me. I have studied 
> for many years, so was an appropriate sounding board for what he was 
> wrestling with, in his spiritual journey. We were cordial the entire 
> time, though we were discussing some of the most controversial systematic theology.
>
> As we motored along, I could not help but get ahold of the beautiful, 
> Fall day that embraced all of us, on the trail. We both agreed that 
> every man is without excuse, as the Creation bore witness of the 
> Creator. I also noticed that Taylor, 28, was looking back at me, as he 
> was talking. Not quite, but he was looking off to his side, to better project his voice.
> Though thoughtful, I had my moments of wanting to remind him to pay 
> more attention to his driving. However, he did a good job to do just 
> that, every time I was about to say something. Maybe something in my 
> facial expression tipped him off? We only went off the trail, a few 
> times, but quickly got back on to the pavement, over the ridge. Yes, 
> that would be the dangerous ridge that I did not yet have time to 
> explain to this novice pilot. Thankfully, my tires were meaty enough 
> to offer some margin for error.
>
> We made it to the park and I was really missing my girlfriend, as we 
> found a picnic table, off from the trail. We sat for an hour, 
> discussing more of his theological issues. I did not mind, though it 
> challenged me to recall what I have studied, both in the past and more 
> recently, on my own personal journey with the living God. I kept up 
> with most of the depth that he was digging, but since I had a minimal 
> breakfast, consisting of a few handfuls of corn flakes, and another 
> appointment for lunch, I motioned that we began our return trip.
>
> Wouldn’t you know it, that crazy dude went back to his habit of riding 
> on the wrong side of the road? He got back in line, after I reminded 
> him. At the park, I clarified my reasoning for this, but did not 
> mention my years of experience on the bike. I could tell that he was 
> appreciating the opportunity to spend some quality time with another 
> brotha, especially one who could spar with him on such a level of topic.
>
> In the closing mile, he noted that it made him feel more comfortable 
> that I was blind. He said that it helped him open up, confess and be 
> vulnerable. From the back seat, I smiled, being thankful for being 
> able to counsel the man in his struggle. I felt as if I was where I 
> needed to be, at the right time. We stopped at his truck, as I 
> collected my residential parking permit, then shared our stats from 
> the ride of 26.5 miles. He drove off and there I was, realizing that I 
> was around the corner from my place, without my cane, and walking an 
> 8-foot long bike. From our three-hours of theology, I knew I was in 
> good company and resumed enjoying the glorious weather, then in the 
> lower mid 60s. Though I did not have much time, I was able to 
> efficiently move out the electric tandem, bring in the urban tandem, 
> re-park the 80-pound electric bike, and keep track of all the 
> accessories that accompany a bike ride. After a quick shower, I walked
> 20 blocks to my on time, lunch appointment, with Pastor Lamar, who 
> already ate. Happy to have the time with him, I forgot about my 
> hunger, for the next 90 minutes. Another 20 block walk home, still not 
> eating since 7:15, I stopped for a 2:30, California Chicken Burrito, 
> but only ate half. Instead of eating the other half for dinner, I just 
> had another few handfuls of corn flakes. As I write this, I must 
> confess that I am looking forward to breakfast, already. It will be a 
> cool morning, in the low 40s, but a hot, cast iron skillet, will make 
> that burrito taste even better than fresh from its maker. I’ll be back on the hamster wheel, but you know, life, is all good, with me.
>
> Racramento Ron

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