FORT WORTH, Texas — Imagine being one of the best golfers in the country, able to crush 300-yard drives, hit fairways and sink putts.
And imagine making it look so easy without being able to look at anything.
“I’m completely blind,” said Brian Oglesbee. “I am truly blessed that I’m still able to play the game that I love.”
Oglesbee lost his vision at 16.
Despite his blindness, Oglesbee adapted, kept playing and eventually became a high school golf coach in Georgia.
He came to Texas last week for the 78th annual US Blind Golf Association’s national championship at Waterchase Golf Club in Fort Worth.
The tournament brought together the best blind and vision-impaired golfers in the country.
Players who are so good, sighted golfers often get teed off.
“I’ve got people that won’t play with me anymore,” said golfer Charlie Adams. “They don’t want to be beaten by a vision impaired or blind guy.”
A lot of these guys are that good, which begs the question, how is this even possible?
A guide, often a friend or family member, helps navigate the course, discusses strategy, and aligns them to the ball.
“They’re the ones that do the tough stuff,” Oglesbee said. “I just swing the club.”
“We just swing and hit the ball,” said Adams.
Of course, having talent certainly helps, but what truly allows them to golf so well isn’t their skill -- it’s their persistence.
“Don’t let your blindness affect your life,” said Mario Tabia. “Just don’t give up. Find something you enjoy. It could be golf, it could be anything.”
“There’s only one thing that’s limiting people and that’s themselves for not trying it,” Adams said.
“It doesn’t matter how you do it, it’s that you do it,” said Oglesbee. “If there’s something you want to do, go ahead. Do it.”
When you believe in yourself it’s easy to see the results.