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'Exciting times' for the sport, says blind golfer

BBC Jane stood next to Simon on a golf course. She is holding a white stick used for lining the golfer up and he is stood with a golf club.BBC
Simon Cookson from Fareham is a visually impaired golfer aided by his guide Jane Avent

A former world champion blind golfer has said these are "very exciting times" for the sport ahead of the British Blind Masters.

The three day tournament, which started in 1988, will be held at Meon Valley Golf & Country Club, near Southampton, from Monday.

Simon Cookson, from Fareham, is visually impaired and will take part in the 54-hole event, alongside his caddie who also acts as a guide.

He said events like this help to "grow the sport" and he believes the stationary nature of golf makes it "a pretty good game for the visually impaired".

Jane is assisting Simon with his line, she is on the floor with a white stick establishing the line and Simon is stood over the ball preparing for his swing at a yellow golf ball. They are on a lush green course and there is a red and white golf bag just behind them.
Blind golf is played with the help of a guide, who assists the player with their line

Mr Cookson is a member of the charity England & Wales Blind Golf, which runs the British Blind Masters.

He said the visually-impaired version of the game does not differ greatly from the non-visually-impaired version.

"Fundamentally it's just golf," he said.

The 58-year-old has a genetic condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa, which led his vision to start to fail when he was 24.

He is now trying to encourage more blind and visually impaired people to try the sport.

'It's all down to him'

Blind golf is played with the help of a guide, who assists the player with their line.

Jane Avent said she "thoroughly enjoys" acting in the role for Mr Cookson, which involves setting up the golfer before he takes his shot.

"It's all down to him, I can only position him up at the beginning," she said.

Professional golfers have shown their support for the adapted version of the sport and sent messages ahead of the British Masters.

They include English golfers Charley Hull, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and American Bryson DeChambeau.

Ahead of the Masters, England & Wales Blind Golf will hold a "come and have a go" session, for anyone with visual impairment to try the sport at Meon Valley Golf & Country Club.

The event will take place between 14:00 and 17:00 BST.

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