Success for IBG in Scotland

By Paddy Morgan

The 2022 ISPS HANDA British Blind Open was recently held at Spey Valley Golf Club in Aviemore, Inverness, Scotland.

It was Scottish Blind Golf’s turn to host the British Blind Open with Aviemore situated outside Inverness up in the highlands of Scotland where IBG Captain Paddy Morgan and Willem Roode participated as Ireland’s representatives along with 22 players from England, Austria, Spain, Holland, Northern Ireland and hosts Scotland.

On Sunday, July 3, Paddy, Wally and their two guides Pat Morgan and Eamonn McGee travelled from Dublin to the MacDonald Resort and were all made very welcoming with fantastic hospitality over the four days.

Monday, July 4, was a practice round with Paddy playing with Scottish Blind Golfer Willie Cheap and Willem playing with Spanish duo Marc Ollier and Alejaandro De Miguel after playing a practice round the course proved difficult for the following days of competition with long wispy grass and a lot of heather, long par threes with narrow landing area.

Spey Valley playing over 7,000 yards and a slope rating of 138 off yellow tees along with having the longest par five in the Uk over 600 yards.

The weather was nice for day one with a gentle breeze and sun shining occasionally throughout the round.

Paddy finished his first round with a 96 gross and 68 nett and wally with 104 gross and 74 nett.

After round one Paddy had a three-shot lead and Wally was in striking distance six behind.

The weather for day two of competition was tough with a strong breeze and showers.

Paddy was in the final group with English Blind Golfer’s Steve Beevers and Jason Bastable and Wally playing with eventually winner Austrian golfer Christian Wakonig.

Paddy had a good front nine of 47 but struggled in the wind on the back nine to shoot 108 gross and 80 nett.

Wally played very steady on day two to shoot 101 gross and 71 nett.

Austria’s Christian won with a two-day score of 138 nett with Wally finishing second with 145 nett and Paddy finishing fourth with 148 nett.

It was fantastic tournament for our two members from Irish Blind Golf finishing in the top four of the British Blind Open.

We would like to thank Scottish blind golf and ISPS HANDA for a fantastic very well organised event.