Blind golfer geared for the SA disabled open
Entries are streaming in from South Africa and abroad for the tournament.
Charlene Pienaar from Boksburg, the only blind female golfer to compete in the Canon South Africa Disabled Golf Open last year, has registered for this year’s event taking place between May 13 and May 16 at the Magalies Park Golf Club.
The Open attracts some of the best golfers with disabilities from across the globe.
This will be Canon South Africa’s third year as the title sponsor of the tournament, which is organised annually by the South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA).
The international amateur event incorporates golfers with varying disabilities, with divisions for leg amputees, arm amputees, deaf golfers, the visually impaired and Les Autres (such as limb deformities, permanent movement disorders or cerebral palsy).
Pienaar was involved in a car accident back in 2000 after which it was discovered she was going blind. She started playing golf three years ago, has a 22.8 handicap and is a member at ERPM Golf Club.
Golf is among her favourite hobbies. She also enjoys gardening and working with her hands. She’s an administrator at a bank by profession.
Dana Eitzen, corporate and marketing communications executive from Canon South Africa, said: “Charlene Pienaar is an inspiration to meet and watch in action on the golf course.
“The only blind lady golfer to compete in last year’s Disabled Golf Open, she is determined to live her best possible life regardless of the challenges she is faced with. We wish her the very best in this year’s tournament.”
Among the internationals who have entered are Mike Browne, Graeme Mazur, Owen Robinson, Ian Jones and Johnny Rhea from the United Kingdom; Axel Perxachs from France; Willem Roode from Ireland; and Geoff Nicholas and Damien Thomlinson from Australia.
South Africans have historically dominated the tournament, with Ben van Zyl winning the event from 1998 to 2003, Pieter Jansen in 2004, Nico Wentzel in 2008, Iglin Grobbelaar in 2009 and 2010, and Daniel Slabbert from 2011 to 2013 and again in 2015.
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