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(Updated
8:30 a.m., Aug. 18)
Local blind-deaf athlete keeps up busy summer schedule
By Mike Beasley
Orléans Online
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 Kevin
Frost will be competing in the golf event
at the Ontario Visually Impaired Games near
Hamilton later this week. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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No
matter the season, there’s no stopping Kevin Frost in
his pursuit of sporting excellence. The deaf-blind athlete
from Orléans still competes in tandem bike racing during
the summer, but the warm weather gives this incredible
athlete the opportunity to compete on the golf course.
All
able-bodied, fully-sighted, recreational golfers have
calculated handicaps as a result of their skills or lack
thereof on the links. Kevin has one as well, but his real
handicap is his lack of sight. He plays every round with
a partner who instructs and guides him through every shot.
“I
rely on my golf partner’s eyesight to help me with ball
setup, yardage and advice on which club I should use,”
Frost explained.
Never
one to turn down a challenge, Frost recently competed
at the 2017 American Blind Golf Championship in Wadsworth,
Ohio, in the B2 category which assigns a 45 handicap to
each participant.
Frost
is still the new kid on the blind golf tour, but was able
to finish fourth in his group. On Day 1, Kevin shot a
78, on Day 2 he finished up with a 74.
“I
have to admit the Ridge Top Golf Course in Ohio was one
of the toughest courses I’ve ever played,” Frost said.
“There were a lot of very good golfers at the event. I
learned that I have to be more patient and relaxed if
I want to have good results.”
The
all-season athlete has been honing his golf skills all
summer at the White Sands, Pine View and Glen Mar Golf
Clubs as he prepares for another prestigious tournament.
In early October, Frost will travel to San Antonio, Texas
to tee off in the American Blind Golf National Championship.
“I
finished second at that event last year and have been
working hard to be in the Top 3 at the end of the tournament,”
Frost said. “I’ve been putting in a lot of time at the
local courses working on my short game and putting. I
know the importance of two putts or less on every green.
Two putts will be one of the keys to my success.”
Kevin
will have to put away his clubs this week in exchange
for a tandem bike as he takes part in the Canadian National
Tandem Cycling Championships in Bromont, Québec.
Kevin
will be back on the links the following week when he takes
part in the Visually Impaired Games at the Chippewa Creek
Golf and Country Club near Hamilton.
“I
have a busy schedule but I love it, the different sports
offer different training regiments and various challenges
which I enjoy.”
Golf,
tandem bike racing and speed skating, Kevin does it all
and does it very well.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
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New
Year`s Levee hosted by MP Andrew Leslie and MPP Marie-France
Lalonde
The
Good Time Band performing at the Orléans Legion
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