Following an invitation to compete on the Canadian Golf Team, against the USA, Jim Gales of Springfield has just returned from Wadsworth Ohio after the 4 day Ryder Cup of blind golf.

Jim (46) said, "We had a fantastic time meeting up with all the guys again and it was rather special to go across and beat the Americans in their own back yard.  It is always good to play well and everyone wants to win their games, but both teams helped to generate a friendly atmosphere and even after the day's competition, we all met for a lengthy discussion at the 19th".

The two teams in Ohio competed for the McCulloch Memorial Cup, named in honour of Denny McCulloch, a visually impaired golfer from Canada who lost his battle with cancer in 2006, and pitted 10 of the top visually impaired golfers from the United States, against 10 from Canada.

Jim also added, "Mark Arnold the tournament organiser and his team of volunteers, really looked after us well while we were over there and we managed to play a few other courses including the very prestigious Firestone Golf Club and although we lost a good few golf balls on this beautiful but very difficult course, we came back with a not too bad score and some great memories to boot!"

This event was Jim's 50th international competition as a disabled golfer.  He hadn't played until his sight deteriorated and only then took up the challenges of the game.  He has competed around the
world in Japan, Australia and Canada and won titles including the Scottish, British and Canadian Open's and has Captained and lead, three Ryder Cup style teams to victories.

Due to another competition taking place at the popular Ridge Top golf club, the organiser Mark Arnold held the singles matches on the first day and Canada took an early if unexpected, lead by seven games to three.  Day two however, saw an American surge and they pulled back to just one game behind with a four to one win.  Although the Americans "loaded their bases" for an early win on day three, the Canadians held them back to only two wins to Canada's three and a victory by eleven points to nine.

The event, hosted by the Rittman Lions and supported by many, including Titleist, took place at Ridge Top Golf Course in Montville Township from 24 to 27 June.  

Aside from showcasing the talents of the golfers, it raised money for sight-related causes, particularly adaptive technology scholarships for those who are unable to see and need such assistance for school or work and donated monies raised to The Foundation Fighting Blindness.  After the tournament five scholarships were presented, totalling over $5000, one of which went to an eight year old who recently won the World Braille Challenge in Los Angeles

The trophy now heads back to Canada for a 2011 staging.  The two teams of blind golfers, who were accompanied by their sighted guides, were as follows

Team USA

Mark Arnold (Captain),  Charlie Adams, Ron Derry, Brad Eaton, Kevin Edwards, Harry Hester, Bruce
Hooper, Joe Hojnicki, Tim Jackson & Ron Murner.

Team Canada

Brian MacLeod (Captain), Glenn Babcock, Bruno Boucher, Jim Gales, Rick Kush, Tim Nolan, Doug Penner,
Doug Stoutley, George Thirkill &Mike Vrooman.

More information on the hosts, American Blind Golf can be found at americanblindgolf.com.