Blind Boksburg golfer returns for her second SA Disabled Golf Open
Pienaar had a car accident in 2000 after which it was discovered she was going blind
Charlene Pienaar from Boksburg, the only blind female golfer to compete in the Canon South Africa Disabled Golf Open last year, has also registered for this year’s event at Magalies Park Golf Club from May 13-16.
Pienaar will be the only blind women’s golfer participating in the 2019 Canon South Africa Disabled Golf Open which attracts some of the best golfers with disabilities from across the globe.
This will be Canon South Africa’s third year as the title sponsor of the tournament which is organised annually by the South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA). This international amateur event incorporates golfers with varying disabilities, with divisions for leg amputees, arm amputees, deaf golfers, the visually impaired and Les Autres (such as limb deformities, permanent movement disorders or cerebral palsy).
Pienaar had a car accident in 2000 after which it was discovered she was going blind. She started playing golf three years ago, has a 22.8 handicap and is a member at ERPM Golf Club.
Golf is among her favourite hobbies. She also enjoys gardening and working with her hands. Self sufficient and independent, Pienaar works at ABSA Bank as an administrator.
She is delighted to have the opportunity to compete again this year.
Dana Eitzen, Corporate and Marketing Communications Executive from Canon SA, says: “Charlene Pienaar is an inspiration to meet and watch in action on the golf course. The only blind lady golfer to compete in last year’s disabled golf open, she is determined to live her best possible life regardless of the challenges she is faced with. We wish her the very best in this year’s tournament.”
According to Eitzen, entries are streaming in from South Africa and abroad. Among the internationals that have entered are Mike Browne, Graeme Mazur, Owen Robinson, Ian Jones and Johnny Rhea from the United Kingdom, Axel Perxachs from France, Willem Roode from Ireland, Geoff Nicholas and Damien Thomlinson from Australia.
Six up and coming rookies from SADGA’s First Swing Programme, which teaches the game of golf to young people with disabilities and organises competitions for schools, will also be hitting the course at Magalies Park in May.
The First Swing Programme has helped to uplift hundreds of children through playing golf. One of its youngsters, 20-year-old Ignation Douries placed ninth overall in the Canon SA Disabled Golf Open in 2018 and will be playing his seventh tournament this year.
South Africans have historically dominated the tournament, with Ben van Zyl winning the event from 1998 to 2003, Pieter Jansen in 2004, Nico Wentzel in 2008, Iglin Grobbelaar in 2009 and 2010, and Daniel Slabbert from 2011 to 2013, and again in 2015.
