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Blind golfer gives back to community

FROM PAGE 15

“When the day came when he needed my help, of course, I said ya. I just fell in love with the game. We got really good at it really fast. He’s so competitive when it comes to the game of golf.”

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Villeneuve notes golfing is just a great game in general, but to be able to go out with your buddy and support each other the way they do and do as well as they do, is totally enjoyable.

“As long as we stay competitive, I’ll be here,” he said.

His wife, Terry, thinks the secret sauce to their chemistry is their lifelong friendship.

“They are awesome together when they’re out there on the golf course and any place else. Chris is Gerry’s eyes and Gerry depends on Chris to be there for him,” she said.

Darryl Oster says having Nelson and Villeneuve at the tournament fits in well with the organization’s support of eyesight and diabetes causes.

“One of the things we are very big supporters of is sight,” said Oster.

“We invited Gerry to attend our local charity golf tournament today and he was able to make it. We’re excited to have him.”

Oster says they are hoping to raise up to $7,000 in their second annual tournament with a focus on funding local diabetes programs this year.

“We’re looking at setting up a support group for Type 1 diabetics in the area,” said Oster.

Nelson added it’s been close to 75 years that Lions clubs in Canada have supported blind golf financially, as well as by hosting tournaments and providing transportation.

He came to Rolling Green with Villeneuve to play nine holes and help raise funds for local causes.

“It’s just nice to give back to the community,” said Nelson.

The 59-year-old is a past-president and current vice president of the Western Canadian Blind Golf Association and is in his second term as president of Blind Golf Canada.

He is also in his second term as a director on the board of the International Blind Golf Association.

He retired as a provincial client service coordinator with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind in 2021.

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