Visually impaired golfer refuses to let disability mark his card
A READING golfer’s positive outlook has ensured the only thing staying sub-par are his scores.
Despite being viusally impaired, Colin Chandler has become a threat to many a sighted linksman, least of all his club captain, who he beat in a recent match.
Mr Chandler’s swing is the product of nine years’ endeavour.
His coach, Joe Templer points him in the right direction before he completes the motion using a combination of hearing and feeling.
When he was 15, Mr Chandler was diagnosed with choroideremia, a condition which causes progressive vision loss due to the degeneration of photoreceptors in the eye.
Not to be deterred, however, his pragmatic approach led him to Buckinghamshire Golf Club in 2013, where he first attended a blind coaching course.
“It was very hard at the start,” Mr Chandler said.
“It was difficult to make a full turn away from the ball, come back and make contact.”
He now plays twice a week at Caversham Golf Club, where his coach accompanies him to the course and driving range.
“Now, once my coach has aligned me towards the hole, the rest is up to me,” Mr Chandler said. “I’ve hit a 250-yard drive before and often hit my driver over 200 yards.”
Most golfers dread the prospect of standing over a 6ft downhill, double–breaking putt, but it’s a facet of the game Mr Chandler relishes.
“Putting is the strongest part of my game. I put the ball down and feel the ground to sense how the ball will roll. It’s a great moment when you hear the ball drop into the hole,” he said.
“The best shot I ever hit was making a 25ft putt. You can see it on my YouTube channel.”
Mr Chandler has since broadened his repertoire, trying his hand at other activities, including athletics, ten-pin bowling, tandem cycling, lawn bowls and has recently started playing the guitar.
The Reading resident also represents the town’s blind football team, although he admits he is still getting to grips with the sport.
“We have to wear dark glasses so we’re all under the same conditions,” he explained. “I really enjoy it, even though it’s a bit tricky.
“Golf is definitely my favourite sport, but I want to play more football in the future.”
Mr Chandler’s footballing skills garnered distinguished recognition earlier this season when his team were visited by then Reading Football Club manager, Veljko Paunovic.
As a loyal Royal, Mr Chandler was thrilled, saying: ““He asked if he could come down and watch us play. It was great because he referred to me by name, even before I introduced myself. He must have already heard about me.”
The former Reading boss is not alone in lauding Mr Chandler’s courage, with over eight thousand Twitter users following the golfer’s account, where he posts regularly to document his progress.
It’s a platform he embraces and hopes individuals suffering from similar conditions can find inspiration from.
“Rather than sitting indoors doing nothing, I’d recommend people to go out and try [something new].” Mr Chandler explained.
“You’ll discover that you’re able to do things you didn’t even realise you could do.
“Everybody says that I’m a superhero, but I feel like I’m just enjoying what I’m doing and that’s all that matters.”