Meet Gerry Nelson and Darren Douma

GerryNelson is a totally blind golfer, President of Blind Golf Canada and a five-time Canadian blind golf champion.  

While playing blind golf, Gerry and the Board members of BGC, along with its members, work year-round to recruit new golfers while growing the game of blind golf in Canada and around the world.  

Gerry is passionate about golf and wants persons with vision loss to experience the same joys and opportunities that have been afforded to him while playing blind golf for over 30 years.  
 

Darren Douma grew up with golf at an early age at the Creston Golf Club. Fondly called “Lefty,” Darren not only golfed at the club but also worked in all facets of the golf operation for 20 or more years before moving to a career with Frito Lay Canada. Darren worked for the company for five years before vision loss ended his career.

Following this, Darren dealt with severe depression before becoming a vision advocate and giving back to those dealing with vision loss. Darren created “VIBE” - Vision Impaired & Blind Empowerment. Through VIBE, Darren promoted vision advocacy, national and international blind golf, and recreational blind sports participation.

Lefty promotes “Ability over Disability” and “Believe & Achieve.”

Lefty enjoys his efforts with Blind Golf Canada, CCB BC-Yukon Division, and BC Golf. He wants to grow blind golf awareness and participation across Canada, to see more ladies and more youth participating, and wants everyone to experience golf and the enjoyment it brings to all individuals who feel they cannot do it, but come to realize, WE CAN STILL PLAY.

Volunteer Highlights:

Blind Golf Canada VP, Admin
President, Western Canadian Blind Golf Assoc.
President, CCB-Blind Golf Canada Chapter
Player Advisory Committee member, ParaGolf Canada
Blind Golf BC BGBC Chair
CCB-VIBE- BC Blind Golf & "ABILITIES" Chapter-President
BC Blind Sports Golf Ambassador
CCB-BC-Yukon Division1st VP, Sports & Rec Committee
BC Golf "Golf for ALL" Committee member
Hosted blind golf championships in 2015 & 2019
Hosted the 2017 ISPS Handa Vision Cup
C0-Host on the BGC Podcast