For the love of the game

Darren Douma represents Canada in the Blind Golf Championships in Australia May 12-13

An avid golfer since childhood, Creston, B.C.’s Darren Douma hasn’t allowed a life-changing disease to stand in the way of his passion and, in fact, turned it into a motivator. In just his second year of competitive blind golfing, Douma is one of five blind golfers representing Canada at the 2014 World Blind Golf Championships in Australia May 12-13.

“It’s exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time,” said Douma. “Between fundraising and just getting ready to go, it’s been a whirlwind. Once I get there, meet with my sight coach and do a round on the course I will feel better. Just the trip itself is a big deal because of the extra planning involved to ensure I can get to where I need to be at the airport. Travelling is a challenge for me."

In 2006 Douma was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a common form of inherited juvenile macular degeneration that causes decreased central vision. Statistically, people begin to experience the onset of Stargardt around age 20, but Douma was in his mid-30s. He learned there is no cure or treatment available, which left Douma feeling devastated.

“A multitude of questions flooded the brain," he said. “Am I going to go blind? How quickly is this disease going to take my sight? What am I going to do? I had just started a job as a sales rep and a big part of it was driving, so that was a major concern. As far as my prognosis, the specialists indicated that there was no definitive answer to how the disease would progress. Typically in the early stages it can progress quite rapidly, and then slowly level out. So I wait.”

Douma’s passion to golf kept him playing despite his failing eyesight and its impact on his game. His biggest challenge was trying to keep track of where he had hit the ball and as time passed he was increasingly relying on fellow golfers for help.

“It was frustrating for me and I believe for them as well,” Douma said. “I pushed through it until the end of the season in 2009, and at that point I was ready to quit. But the following spring my golf hero Phil Mickelson taught me to never give up. He pulled an amazing shot and went on to win the 2010 Masters at Augusta. I learned that anything is possible and this pushed me to focus on playing golf again despite my visual disability. So I got involved in events again and started golfing regularly with a great group of guys who don’t mind helping, and I’m okay with it.”

A competitor

Last August, Douma played in his first blind competition at the 2013 Western Canadian Blind Open at the Port Alberni Golf Club. In his sight category he won first place in the Western Open and placed second in the Canadian Open, clinching him a spot to represent Canada at the 2014 World Blind Golf Championships in Australia in May.

“I’m confident I will do well,” Douma said. “The two big challenges are that I don’t know the course and I haven’t met my sight coach yet. So once I’m there and I do the practice round and get a feel for the course and connect with my coach, I will be able to really focus. No matter what happens I’m bringing back the experience and I hope I inspire folks.”

Following his trip to Australia, Douma will compete at the Canadian Blind Open in Nova Scotia later this summer. He’s also getting involved in advocacy through joining the board of directors for Blind Golf Canada and through the role of golf commissioner with BC Blind Sports. Douma plans to focus his energy on increasing awareness around vision loss and prevention and creating a Blind Golf Chapter in Creston that can eventually encompass the Kootenays.

Douma, his wife and two children live in his hometown of Creston. 

For more information see Darren Douma's website.