Blind golfer heads to US competition

A golfer who lost most of his sight in three days will be among the sport's top stars competing in the US state of Georgia this month after finding comfort in his lifelong passion.

Paul Innocent will fly to Columbus on Thursday to take part in the US Blind Golf Championships after winning a title in the British Blind Open in Scotland last summer.

The 43-year-old, a member of Sheringham Golf Club in Norfolk, will play at the international competition this week at the same time US Masters takes place elsewhere in the state.

Innocent, who will be assisted by his guide and fellow club member Rob, said: "We are going out there to compete and to do our best."

He said he had "reasonable hopes" at doing well in the US after being heartened by his performance at Cardrona in the Scottish Borders.

Despite only playing blind golf for six months, Innocent finished as a runner-up in the whole tournament, after scooping a category title.

The golfer, who is registered blind having lost his entire vision in one eye and 70% in the other, said he uses his guide to put a coloured stick where the ball is for him to aim at.

Innocent was diagnosed with the rare mitochondrial disease Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy in 2023 and described how golf had provided him with a sanctuary.

"I had perfect vision, and never wore glasses or anything, and then I ended up contracting a disease in my nervous system," he said.

"Within the next year or two, I could have a high possibility of being completely blind.

"It was difficult because I was at a practical job. I was a self-employed electrician and basically within a space of three days I'd had to stop work, I was registered blind and I had my driving licence taken off me and I didn't know where to turn."

Innocent said he had enjoyed playing golf all his life and his wife contacted the England & Wales Blind Golf charity about opportunities.

The pair, who had lived in Nottingham, relocated to north Norfolk in 2024 after they sold their electrical contractors and Innocent soon joined the coastal club at Sheringham.

"I'm going from strength to strength with the help of Rob - what he's done for my game, with the lack of my vision, is help compensate for it," said Innocent.

While he described his situation as "heart-breaking", he said he had been thankful for the support shown by his wife and family, while some members of Sheringham Golf Club had helped pay for his flights to the tournament and the club itself had given him clothing.

"Until you get that knock on the door - as it were - you don't realise how hard things can be, but they're only as hard as you make them," he said.

"There is hope out there and if someone could watch me playing golf and think 'I could do that' and it helps other people, then that's what we've got to look forward to."

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