At just 19, Jeremy Pawnnott discovered he was blind due to Leber’s hereditary optic nerve disorder. This genetic condition changed everything for him. Just before his diagnosis, his father, Lionel, gifted him a new set of golf clubs for Christmas, but by December 25th, Jeremy had lost his sight.
When Lionel handed over the clubs, Jeremy was in disbelief. “I thought it was a sick joke,” he recalled. “I couldn’t grasp why this was happening to me; I wasn’t in the right headspace to feel grateful. Life just felt unfair.” Yet, a few days later, they headed to the local driving range. “I wasn’t quite ready for the course. I felt too embarrassed,” he admitted.
Then something clicked. “I thought, if I swing and miss, that’s it for me,” he said, but then there were shots that reminded him of how it used to feel. “Okay, I’m ready to play again,” he thought.
Now, at 35, Jeremy has made a name for himself as a golfer, even winning nine American Blind Golf Association Championships. The USBGA’s history goes back to 1946, with Duluth businessman Clin Trussel winning the first competition.
Bob Banks, the USBGA president, shared his struggles of facing vision loss in his 50s. “Anger and depression can often creep in, and initially, I thought I’d lost all my interests,” he reflected. In an impulsive moment of frustration, he even tossed his golf clubs in the trash. But a YouTube video of a blind golfer inspired him to believe he could still play. “I took the club back from the trash,” he said.
The competitions categorize players based on their visual abilities, with classifications like B1 (no sight), B2 (some usable sight), and B3 (better usable sight). Each participant has a coach or guide to assist with navigating the course, selecting clubs, and ensuring proper stance for their shots. During putting, the coach also reads where the ball needs to go and helps with distances.
Jeremy credits his bond with his father for his success. “I don’t think I’ve given my dad enough credit,” he confessed. “He does everything a normal caddy would, but he also has to communicate in ways that help me navigate as a blind golfer.”
Reaching the top wasn’t simple. When Jeremy resumed playing, he had plenty of struggles, like mishits and air shots. But he adapted, and his routine became instinctive as muscle memory kicked in. In 2010, he clinched the World Blind Golf Championship and was named Athlete of the Year at the San Diego Hall of Champions in 2011.
For Jake Olson, a notable athlete who lost his vision due to retinoblastoma, his father played a crucial role in his journey. “It’s hard to express how much he’s influenced my golfing,” Olson stated. “His effort and commitment are why I am where I am today.” When Dad can’t make it, Mom steps in—though that can lead to some humorous situations. Once, she misinformed him about the bunker near the green, leading to some confusion. “Guiding a blind golfer is about explaining things in a way that helps them visualize the shot,” he noted.
Bob Banks also acknowledges the vital role of coaches, likening them to “steroid caddies” who track shots and scores as well as navigate courses.
Since his diagnosis, Olson has achieved remarkable feats, including being the first fully blind athlete to play a Division I college football game. He’s also excelled in blind golf tournaments and embraced various roles, emphasizing gratitude for the support around him. “I’m thankful to still play the sports I love,” he said. “So many have helped turn the impossible into something extraordinary.”
The experiences of Jeremy and Jake contrast with those who lose their sight later in life. For instance, 70-year-old Mario Tovia, who lost his vision due to retinitis pigmentosa, found golf to be a new passion. “It was challenging at first, especially seeing the ball,” Tovia recounted, but he felt drawn to the sport nonetheless.
His son, Michael, is his coach. “I owe my ability to play to him. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to navigate the course,” Tovia expressed. The bond they share goes beyond competition; it’s about time spent together on the greens.
Blind golfers, just like their sighted counterparts, continue striving for that perfect shot. “I remember Kevin Costner’s character in ‘Tin Cup;’ it’s that passion for the game that drives us all,” Olson said.
The journey can be tough, filled with frustration like any golfer could experience. “Golf is merciless,” he remarked. “The more effort you invest, the more it tests you.” Even so, for Jeremy, it has opened new doors. He’s played golf across five continents, with iconic players, and sees the silver lining in what he’s achieved despite his challenges. “I’ve had moments that I would never have had if I hadn’t lost my sight, making me realize how fortunate I am,” he reflected.
Bob Banks sums it up well by saying that the passion for the game is what unites blind golfers. “We’re just grateful for the chance to play, both in the U.S. and internationally,” he said. “As we say in the USBGA, you don’t need sight to swing!”
