Aug 2019- Jhb East

Blind golfer
with a zest for life
Helen Keller, an American activist for the handicapped, said, “The only thing worse than
being blind is having sight but no vision.” Boksburg’s Charlene Pienaar lost her sight
at the young age of 20 – but she’s never lost her vision to excel.
The petite 29-year-old was the only blind lady golfer to participate in the 2019 Canon
SA Disabled Golf Open in May, which attracted some of the best golfers with disabilities
from around the world. She triumphed, winning the trophy for the women’s section,
which she also won in 2018.
Charlene was only 20 when she was involved in a car accident and lost 90 per cent of
her vision. “I was devastated. The accident took the wind out of my sails! I was young
and still had my whole life in front of me. It was difficult to adapt to a lifestyle of being
blind, especially the fact that I had to depend on other people. My parents were and still
are my pillar of strength, and I thank God every day for having them in my life,”
she remembers.
“With time I have learned that I am a strong person and that I can still conquer many
tasks – I just have to work harder at it than abled people. I have learned that when God
gives you a dream, you only need to believe … He will see to the rest,” she believes.
Charlene works for Absa, and she is grateful that the bank played an enormous role in
making her life meaningful again. They sent her to Optima College in Pretoria, which
specialises in courses for the visually impaired and teaches them how to cope with
day-to-day chores. Charlene took computer courses – including programming – for
which software was installed on her computer that allowed her to zoom in on the text.
Another big achievement is that she completed her B.Com Marketing degree through
Unisa, studying with a magnifying glass!
In 2016 she decided to take up golf and became a member of the South African
Disabled Golf Association (SADGA) as well as the South African Blind Golf Association
(SABGA). She joined the ERPM Golf Club in Boksburg, where you will find her
over weekends.
In the past three years she has participated in five competitions and won four trophies.
Besides the two SADGA competitions, she also participated in three SABGA competitions.
This association does not have a women’s section, so Charlene had to compete
against men. She won the developmental trophy, and the next year she won a trophy
for third place.
Charlene has proved that she has the strength, courage and determination to live
her best possible life, and she is a fine example of how one can adapt after a
life-changing experience.
Golf Q & A
How does a blind person play golf?
A good caddie is crucial for a blind
golfer. He must line up your ball with
the driving iron. He must also line up
my body in the right
direction. I also make use of a
voice caddie.
What brand of clubs do you
play with?
Cobra – they feel great in my hand.
What is your handicap?
Between 24 and 30. It depends on
the difficulty of the golf course and
whether I have a great caddie
or not.
Your preferred method of playing?
I enjoy playing betterball.
Your favourite golf course?
Komatipoort’s golf course. It’s close to
the Kruger and I can hear the
fish eagles.
How do you prepare yourself before
a competition?
I pray for calmness and peace and to
enjoy the game.
What is your golfing goal?
I would love to play overseas, but I
don’t have the money to fulfil that
dream yet.
14 Get It Joburg East August 2019
GICE0802_014_71692361.indd 14
2019/07/18 11:55:31 AM