Your Incredible Neighbors: Local volunteers help visually impaired play

In a retirement community such as Green Valley, where the game of golf is the sport of choice, visually impaired and blind golfers are also able to play.

Their participation comes in part thanks to a program by the Veterans Administration Rehab Center in Tucson and a group of local volunteers who coaches and guide.

Local residents Lee Besse, Bob Kaiser, Gary Riggs, Rich Brabaw, Kent Phillips, Jeff Demchuk and Bill Lindsay serve as volunteers to visually impaired golfers that play Wednesday mornings at Tortuga Golf Course, a par-3 course that’s part of the Haven Golf Club on Abrego Drive.

Rita Ramey is the director of the local program, which has no official name. She’s in charge of overall care and details, Besse said.

Moving to Canoa Ranch from central Illinois in August 2006, Besse has had macular degeneration for almost four years. His condition has stabilized and his left eye improved so much after eye surgery that he’s no longer eligible for membership in the U.S. Blind Golf Association.

But he’s eligible to be a volunteer coach and inspire others improve their game. “My function is more inspirational rather than technical,” he said. His lowest handicap used to be 12; now it’s 25 or 26.

Emphasizing the ability of visually impaired and blind people to play golf, the U.S. Blind Golf Association’s catchphrase is, “You don’t have to see it to tee it.”

Besse explained that those with macular degeneration have better peripheral vision than straight vision. Some players, he said, have “tunnel vision” meaning they can see better straight ahead but lack peripheral vision, or the ability to see out the corners of their eyes.

“A person with macular degeneration can’t see clearly; golfers can’t see the result of their shot,” he said.

He explained that the VA takes three students at a time into the program and pays their golf fees and room and board while they’re in the program. To be eligible. a veteran must have been honorably discharged. However, one need not be a veteran to play and receive coaching at Haven Golf Club.

Asked if a visually impaired golfer gets the same satisfaction from playing golf as a normally sighted person, Besse said, “Very few golfers get complete satisfaction. I try to convince them this is a part of their life we can bring back.”

Donating their time and golfing expertise, the volunteers are paired one-on-one with a visually impaired or blind golfer giving direction and distance and telling the golfer what club to use.

“Some are American Legion members; not all are vets. They generously give up their Wednesday mornings helping us — and they don’t have to,” Besse said.

Milo Borich is the VA’s blind rehabilitation specialist who brings the visually-impaired golfers to play at Haven Golf Course every Wednesday morning, where they play at no charge. Most have played golf before their vision failed and know the game but need direction and guidance.

“Volunteers provide visual assistance; sighted assistance helps a great deal,” Borich said, adding that the VA operates 10 rehab centers for the blind in the United States, but only a few have the golf program.

Speaking about the VA’s Rehab Center South Campus at 6th and Ajo in Tucson, Besse said, “The facility there is the finest in the world.”

For further information, call Lee Besse at 822-8786.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer for the Green Valley News. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net