Legally blind golfer makes hole in one in Green Valley

Robert Dunham was certain the game of golf had passed him by.

About 10 years ago, Dunham said his eyesight started to fail him. It had gotten to the point where he could no longer see the ball resting on the tee.

However, Dunham’s recent enrollment in the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System has allowed Dunham to reconnect with the game he enjoyed throughout most of his adult life.

Last week, that reconnection culminated in the “holy grail” for every golfer — that first career hole-in-one.

Dunham, 85, joined a group of fellow legally blind veterans for their weekly round at Tortuga, the nine-hole par-3 course situated adjacent to Haven Golf Course.

Each golfer was paired with a volunteer to assist with the directional aspects.

On hole No. 3, Dunham’s specialist handed him a 9-iron. After a pair of practice swings, Dunham addressed his bright orange ball and took aim at the pin.

He swung through the ball, taking great care to complete his follow through. The orange dimpled sphere hung in the air for a split second before landing softly on the green. It took one small hop and nestled into the bottom of the cup.

After the initial moment of surprise wore off, Dunham’s group erupted into a cacophony of cheers and high-fives.

Dunham’s first reaction?

“I thought they were kidding me,” Dunham said with a chuckle. “I told them, ‘You guys better not be pulling my leg.’”

Sure enough, his bright orange ball sat comfortably in the hole.

Dunham originally took up the game about three decades ago, playing roughly three rounds a week after unknowingly moving into a neighborhood full of enthusiastic golfers.

He said last week’s fateful shot was the first time he had come anywhere near a hole-in-one.

Blind rehabilitation specialist Milo Borich said the hospital began the golf program roughly seven years ago to help keep the patients active and to help eradicate the word “impossible” from their vernacular.

“The golf program has been a tremendous success,” Borich said. “It’s a great way for our patients to get outside, get some exercise and get to know one another. Every once in a while, something amazing happens.”

Dunham recorded his hole-in-one with a hand-me-down Ryder Cup brand punch iron with a dull club face and worn-down grip.

Borich said the program relies on donations from anyone with golf clubs to spare, but that the hospital is hoping to secure a deal with a club manufacturer to give the patients some nicer equipment.

“Just imagine what Bob could’ve done with a better club,” Borich said.

He added that he can’t remember another golfer in this program carding an ace before Dunham.

Prior to ever stepping foot on a golf course, Dunham signed up for the service in 1942 in Pearl River, N.Y.

After completing his basic training, he was stationed in the 11th Airborne Division in the parachute troops.

He saw active duty in the Philippines, New Guinea and in Japan 10 days before the United States signed the armistice with Japan.

“I saw the world,” Dunham said. “I wouldn’t have traded that experience for anything.”

Once Dunham returned to civilian life, he took over as the head of communications for Honeywell, one of North America’s largest industrial supplies manufacturers.

About two decades ago, Dunham settled into retired life, but his eyes started to betray him.

Dunham first started taking classes at the VA hospital three weeks ago, hoping to overcome his vision impairment.

In addition to the golf outings, patients learn how to effectively perform household tasks and other tips to continue leading a self-sufficient life.

As Dunham continues his training, he expects to make these golf outings a regular occurrence.

It’s not another hole-in-one he’s after, although he acknowledges that would be nice.

Dunham is just happy his low eyesight is no longer an obstacle standing in between him and the tee box.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747