Nashville's David Meador Repeats as Blind Golf National Champion

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 2013) – Nashville blind golfer David Meador repeated as national champion in the 68th annual United States Blind Golf Association National Championship, an annual tournament that was held in Oregon City, Oregon, from Aug. 18-21.  

            Blind and visually impaired golfers from as far away as Hawaii and Massachusetts flew to the Portland area to vie for the title of "best blind or visually impaired golfer in the nation." The USBGA National Championship occurred at Stone Creek Golf Club.  The organization presented trophies to the winners and inducted Championship Director Ron Plath to its 2012 Hall of Fame during a special dinner on Aug. 21. Another Middle Tennessean, USBGA President Jim Baker of Hermitage, was named blind net champion by landing the highest net score during the two days of tournament play.

            Golfers competed in categories ranging from totally blind (B-1) and little usable vision (B-2) to better usable vision (B-3). Winners in those categories received trophies designating them as the best blind or vision-impaired golfers in the nation. To be eligible to compete on the national level, a blind or vision-impaired golfer must have scored 125 or less (B-1), 110 or less (B-2), or 100 or less (B-3) in three qualifying rounds of golf.

            The winners were

            *  B-1 Division (totally blind): David Meador of Nashville, Tenn. (first place/national champion); Mario Tobia of Mount Laurel, N.J. (second place); and Ron Derry of Baltimore, Ohio (third place).

            *  B-1 Division (totally blind): Jim Baker of Hermitage, Tenn. (blind net champion).

            *  B-1 Division (totally blind): Tony Schiros of Odessa, Fla. (blind most improved).

            *  B-2 (little usable vision): Jeremy Poincenot of Carlsbad, Calif. (first place/national champion); and Jim Durand of Longview, Wash. (second place).

            *  B-3 (better usable vision): Ron Plath of Lake Oswego, Oregon (first place/national champion); and Scott Wilson of Ontario, Oregon (second place).

            *  B-2 and B-3 (little or better usable vision): Harry Hester of Austin, Texas. (net champion).

            *  B-2 and B-3 (little or better usable vision): Mike McKone of Warwick, R.I. (most improved).

            * B-1, B-2 and B-3 Senior Division: Millard Reed of Reno, Nevada (low net senior)

            "For someone like me, competing in a tournament like this is an opportunity to continue playing the game of golf," Ron Plath said. "I was also honored to be inducted into the USBGA Hall of Fame and to chair an exemplary event like this in my home state of Oregon. I enjoy the competition along with the ability to increase the awareness of a great thing, blind golf."

            All 19 National Championship tournament competitors playing in Portland will be accompanied by coaches who "act as their eyes". The coaches join their blind partners for breakfast, drive them to the golf course, manage their equipment, develop game-playing strategies, and provide directional advice for each hole.  The golfers do all of the swinging, putting, slicing, triple-bogeying, and birdying.

            National tournament competitors and their coaches were Jim Baker (Kyle Seeley) of Hermitage, Tenn.; John Casolo (David Mouton) of Waterbury, Conn.; Ron Derry (Roger Turnbull) of Baltimore, Ohio; Jim Durand (Steve Jones) of Longview, Wash.; Harry Hester (Randy Nutt) of Austin, Texas; Phil Hubbard (Todd Gariepy) of Orange City, Fla.; Takeo Maruyama (Ellen Tajima) of Pearl City, Hawaii; David Meador (Everett Davis) of Nashville, Tenn.; Michael McKone (Ed Hewitt) of Warwick, R.I.; Bill McMahon (Kevin Sullivan) of Framingham, Mass.; Mike Mercado (Tim Bartlett) of Albany, New York; Ron Plath (Regi Christensen) of Lake Oswego, Oregon;  Jeremy Poincenot (Lionel Poincenot) of Carlsbad, Calif.; Dick Pomo (Steve Olson) of Green Valley, Arizona; Millard Reed (Jay Carter) of Reno, Nevada; Tony Schiros (Rich Gassner) of Odessa, Fla.; Mario Tobia (Matthew Tobia) of Mount Laurel, N.J.; Diane Wilson (Byron Wilson) of Seattle; and Scott Wilson (Vicky Wilson) of Ontario, Oregon.

            To make both tournaments possible, the organizing committee had to raise more than $40,000 from businesses, organizations and individuals. Tournament sponsors included the International Blind Golf Association and the Northwest Blind Golfers Association. The funds paid for the players' green fees, lodging, and meals.

            The United States Blind Golf Association was founded in 1953 by blind golfer and lawyer Bob Allman.  Today, the organization conducts three annual tournaments and holds more than a dozen clinics for blind and vision-impaired children through its junior blind golf program. The USBGA also has a Hall of Fame that honors legendary players and contributing organizations.

            "Yes, we're about golf, but what we're really about is demonstrating for adults and children alike that absolutely nothing's impossible through partnership," said former USBGA President David Meador.

            For more information about the USBGA National Championship tournament, call (615) 385-0784, send an email inquiry to davidmeador7@gmail.com, or visit http://www.USBlindGolf.com. 

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Nashville Blind Golfer David Meador Wins 'Ben Hogan Award'

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 2013) -- Nashville blind golfer David Meador has been named the winner of the prestigious "Ben Hogan Award", an honor given annually by the Golf Writers Association of America to an individual who has continued to be active despite a physical handicap or serious illness.

            Meador, the 2011 and 2012 United States Blind Golf Association National Champion, will receive a special trophy from golf writers during the association's annual awards dinner in Augusta, Ga., on April 10. The event will help kick off the 2013 Masters Tournament. Past "Ben Hogan Award" winners include well-known golfers such as Ken Venturi, Fuzzy Zoeller, Paul Azinger, Judy Rankin, and Tom Watson.

            The former USBGA president was only 18 when he lost his eyesight in an automobile accident on Christmas Eve in 1966. By Easter of the next year, the college freshman was playing golf again.

            "It was my father who got me back in the game," said Meador, who at age 64 still credits his father and the game of golf for a lifetime of opportunities to interact with great people. "This award now gives me the chance to bring attention to the game of golf and in particular how it can help someone overcome adversity."

            The blind Tennessee golfer, also a two-time cancer survivor with a history of complications and surgeries, relies on a simple but strong philosophy.

             "Like blind golf, pushing through troubles is never a solo accomplishment," added Meador, who has been married to his college sweetheart, Connie, for more than 41 years. "It's always a team game."

            Meador, a 39-year member of the USBGA, admits that he averages only six to eight rounds of golf a year. He still manages to break into the upper 90s on 18-hole courses.

            Meador credits his golf coach, Everett Davis of Nashville, for keeping him in the game. Davis has coached Meador since 1994, helping him win two consecutive USBGA National Championships and place in the top five in regional, national and international tournaments.

            "It's always a matter of teamwork," said fellow blind golfer and current USBGA President Jim Baker. "The coach physically sets the club face behind the ball and allows the blind golfer to feel a sense of balance and alignment. What comes next is a feeling of trust that lets the blind or vision-impaired golfer swing with confidence and athleticism."

            In addition to serving on the USBGA Board of Directors, Meador is an accomplished motivational speaker.  His autobiography, "Broken Eyes, Unbroken Spirit", shares memorable reflections on returning to life as a blind man, and being forced to learn incredible new ways of seeing along the way.

             Meador is the fifth USBGA member to win the "Ben Hogan Award". Others include Clint Russell (1957), Charlie Boswell (1959), Joe Lazaro (1970), and Pat Browne Jr. (1988).

            Founded in 1953, the USBGA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has sponsored an annual blind golf National Championship since 1946. It also stages two regional tournaments each year. The USBGA Junior Golf Program introduces blind and vision-impaired students and adults to blind golf through clinics and individual lessons. Many USBGA tournaments help raise much-needed funds for local charities.

            The USBGA is proud to state that 100 percent of all funds received are used to support USBGA junior golf clinics and programs, tournaments, and member recruitment. For more information about the USBGA, visit http://www.USBlindGolf.com .