BLIND FAITH
TIGERS Woods shot 13-under par to win the US Masters but what would the golfing great shoot if he went around Augusta with his eyes closed?
Glenn Niciejewski is a totally blind golfer who is defying the odds to excel on the fairways in Australia and around the world.
His latest feats at the Victorian Open have him on track to reach a fourth World Blind Golf Championship.
TIGER Woods now has 15 majors to his name but could he produce the same scintillating shots with his eyes closed?
Meet Glenn Niciejewski, the totally blind golfer who is lighting up the Blind Golf Australia tour and who is on course to compete in a fourth world championships.
The 42-year-old, who lost his sight in a car accident in 1999, trains under PGA professional Peter Harrington at The Golf School at Palm Meadows.
He is sixth in the Blind Golf Australia order of merit after his win at the Victorian Open, a two-day stableford event held late last month.
Niciejewski recorded 40 points in the opening round and 45 in the second to claim his second overall interstate title in a nine-year career.
The top eight ranked players at the end of this year will be granted entry into the 2020 World Blind Golf Championships, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa.
At previous world titles in 2012 (Canada), 2014 (NSW) and 2018 (Italy) he finished midfield.
Niciejewski, who plays off a handicap of 52 on the domestic tour, credited an increased training program and a creative approach to club changes for his ability to improve his game and overcome howling winds in Victoria to win.
The Loganlea resident plays alongside good friend and former NRL player Mark Tookey each week.
“I’m playing golf a lot more and training with Pete every second week,” Niciejewski said.
“We ramp that up closer to tournaments. Every time I play with Tookes, I pretend my handicap is lower and I’ve been shooting at a handicap of 45 at home.
“Pete has also adjusted my clubs and my short game which was my downfall.
“He has put in a little seven-iron chipper. I always found it hard to pull the ball up but I’m hitting it a lot better around the greens now.
“Pete has also given me a forearm putter that we used for the first time in a tournament at Victoria and everything was going well with it.
“I’ve also shortened my driver and I’m hitting a nice draw now.”
Niciejewski plans to play in the Queensland Open in July before featuring in three tournaments in September, including the Western Australia Open, Australian Open and Japan Open.