Blind Golfers Tee Up Third Annual Shot In The Dark

 In Advocacy, Newsletters

Fort Worth, Texas (September 19, 2013) – The third annual Shot in the Dark Golf Tournament and Wine Dinner presented by EnerVest and benefiting Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth tees up on Friday evening, September 27th at River Crest Country Club.  This is the third year for this unique event but will be the first year that blind celebrity golfers will actually be a part of the evening’s activities.

Hailing from Austin, sixty year old Harry Hester is married with one grown son.  He retired as a Rural Mail Carrier with the US Postal Service when his vision deteriorated due to macular dystrophy.  He currently works as a Teaching Assistant with autistic and special needs children. 

An avid golfer when he was a youth, Harry picked the game back up when he became visually impaired and became involved in blind golf tournaments about nine years ago.  He has since participated in blind and low vision tournaments both nationally and internationally and enjoys the camaraderie and the opportunities to travel to new destinations offered by his association with blind golf.  Harry has won a national championship and has been a close contender in numerous other tournaments.

All blind and low vision golfers have a coach to help them navigate the course during tournaments.

Harry’s coach, Randy Nutt, is a lifelong friend from Mississippi who took up golf after his fiftieth birthday.  He is now an avid golfer and has won several local senior tournaments.

Bruce Hooper is a native of San Antonio, Texas.  He is a graduate of Texas State University. Judy is also a native of San Antonio and a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin.

Bruce’s work career was in the golf industry for 35 years.  Twice, he was named Salesman of the Year by his company, Spalding Sports Worldwide.  He is also the recipient of the Southern Texas PGA Salesman of the Year Award, and a YMCA Coach of the Year award.  In 2002, Bruce was disabled due to blindness. He co-founded and is co-director of American Blind Golf.  He also served on the PGA of America’s Disabled Golf Committee. Bruce co- hosted the South Texas Golf Show on KTSA radio from 2006 to 2011.

Judy is a retired teacher.  She taught science and math and helped pioneer an independent study program for the gifted and talented students in the Northside Independent School District. She was named Texas State Outstanding High School Science Teacher and also received the UT Health Science Center’s Sigma X Award.  Judy retired in 2003 and became Bruce’s eyes on the golf course.  She was named Blind Golf Coach of the Year in 2006.

Bruce and Judy won the World Blind Golf Championship in 2006. They defeated 54 players from 9 different countries.   The event was held at the 500 Club in Shizuoka, Japan, at the base of Mt. Fuji.  Bruce is a seven-time American Blind Golf National Champion, and a three-time Canadian Blind Open Champion.

Monies raised through the unique and fun golf tournament which is played with glowing golf balls, neon-lit tees and holes and flashlight equipped golf carts will benefit local youth and adults who receive services through the Lighthouse’s rehabilitation department.

For individuals who don’t play golf but don’t want to miss the fun, there will be a wine dinner happening at the same time.  The expanded wine tasting dinner will include four wine pairings to a four course dinner prepared exclusively for Shot in the Dark guests by River Crest Country Club Executive Chef Paul Williams.  Featured wines are from the Raymond Vineyard.

For ticket information, visit www.shotinthedarkfw.com or call 817-529-7782.

ABOUT THE LIGHTHOUSE

For over 78 years, Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth has made a life-changing difference in the lives of individuals who are significantly visually impaired by providing skills enhancement, training and employment that empowers them to achieve their highest level of personal, economic self-sufficiency.  The Lighthouse’s Industrial Division employs over 90 individuals who are legally blind for the manufacturing of products  that include drug test kits, hygiene kits, non-incendiary LED marking flares, fast pack shipping containers, copy paper and clear-barrel pens.  Products are available for sale to commercial businesses as well as to local, state and federal government agencies.  In addition to the industrial division, rehabilitation services provide mobility and orientation training, adaptive technology training, Braille classes, skills assessment, and independent living skills training to over 3,000 individuals annually.

For more information about Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth or to take a tour of the 80,000 square foot facility, contact Nancy Fisher, nfisher@lighthousefw.org or at 817-529-7782.

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