On Saturday, May 20, 2017 over 100 golfers played a round at Santa Barbara Golf Club for a great cause. The event was hosted by Eye and Vision Care and the proceeds went to The California Project to Cure Blindness. The research is being completed at UC Santa Barbara.

A team of scientists are using stem cells to develop ground breaking treatments for diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration. Some of the participants of this event included vision impaired and blind golfers.

On one of the holes players were blindfolded showing just how hard it is to play golf with impaired vision. Six years ago this golf tournament started with just 24 golfers. In 2017, over 130 participants were signed up.

Anyone that has played golf that has less than stellar vision understands just how difficult the game can be. The importance of knowing distances and sitting the ball before it is hit can determine the success or failure of any golfer. Over the years, more and more golfers have elected to get LASIK eye surgery in hopes of improving their overall experience. In fact, Tiger Woods received LASIK eye surgery at a young age.

Hopefully, more and more country clubs and golf clubs host tournaments in which the proceeds will benefit research to cure blindness. As a golfer with very poor vision, I would be more than willing to donate my fair share to research.