2009 Special Offers, Benefits and General Information for OVIG Members
The following is a list of special offers from various golf courses and facilities that may be of interest to our membership. Click on the area of choice to view the offers.
Hamilton Kitchener/Waterloo Area Oakville Ottawa Toronto Important Information For Members
1. The Toronto HUNT (Scarborough)
This is an obvious benefit for OVIG members within easy traveling distance of Toronto.
The opportunity is for 1 foursome (consisting of no more than 2 OVIG members and 2 playing coaches) to be allowed to play after 4:00 pm on Mondays (no other time). Non-playing coaches are also welcome. There is no cost for this privilege.
To avoid possible complications, the "ONLY" contact person will be:
Iona Gherasim
Tel: 416-425-0397.
(OVIG members should leave messages on Iona’s voice-mail at this number)
You may ask Iona as to when this program will start this year. It should be noted that OVIG membership cards can be, and have been, requested by The Toronto Hunt staff prior to play.
When wanting to schedule a round at the Hunt Club, an OVIG member must contact Iona at least by the Wednesday of the preceding week that they would like to play (earlier is better).
In general, Iona will book on a "first-come-first-serve" basis. However, OVIG members may not be allowed frequent bookings if there are requests from members who have not yet been able to take advantage of this opportunity. You may feel free to ask Iona any additional questions about playing at The Toronto Hunt.
2. Oasis Indoor Golf Centre in Markham
Continued from years gone by, OVIG will be using the Oasis Indoor Golf Centre for practice, this year on Wednesday evenings, 7-9 p.m. from March 14 until May 9, 2007. OVIG members may be asked to show their OVIG Membership Card, or CNIB Identification Card when asked by the Oasis staff.
Tel: (905) 415-4653.
Address: 20 Alden Road, Markham.
Directions – using Toronto’s Steeles Avenue and HWY 404 as the nearest, recognizable intersection):
Go north of Steeles on Woodbine (east of Steels and 404) to Esna Park; turn right (east) on Esna Park and go to first light (Alden); turn left (north) and Oasis is on the left (north east corner); follow sign to Oasis, near back of complex.
3. The Cardinal Golf Course (Kettleby, east of HWY 400, north side of HWY 9)
The course, which for the last several years has been the site for the Colin Kressler Charity Golf Tournament (OVIG’s primary funding resource), wishes to offer OVIG members a 20% discount on greens fees during the 2009 golfing season. OVIG Membership Card or CNIB Identification Card must be shown at the time of check in.
Kitchener-Waterloo and Guelph area
1. Possible 2 for 1 golf with use of a PAL CARD (for recreation services)
What is a PAL Card?
For some people with disabilities, it is necessary to have someone's help in order to participate in recreation and leisure activities. A PAL (Personal Attendant for Leisure) Card allows persons with a disability to be accompanied by a personal attendant so that they may participate in designated City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo programs. The PAL Card:
1. Identifies that the person named on the card requires the assistance of an accompanying personal attendant. All regular program fees/registration fees apply.
2. Authorizes that the accompanying personal attendant will not be charged an additional fee.
The PAL Card will be recognized at: The following City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo programs:
Arts, Culture, Heritage, Festivals and Special Events
Kitchener Memorial Auditorium
Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex
Direct Leisure Programs
Golf Courses
Aquatics Arenas
To obtain an application go to the City of Kitchener or City of Waterloo web sites or please contact:
City of Kitchener 741-2224
City of Waterloo 885-1220 extension 225
The City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo PAL Card is also recognized at participating programs in the City of Guelph, City of Cambridge and City of Thunder Bay. For further information in these cities, please contact:
City of Cambridge, Andrea Riley (519) 623-1340
City of Guelph, Julie Doherty (519) 837-5625 extension 234
City of Thunder Bay, Stephen Holloway (807) 625-3220
The above contacts can also provide details on the various services to which the use of this card applies, including group golf lessons.
Cambridge
The Management at the Cambridge Golf Course, 519-621-5491, wishes to offer OVIG members, and their playing coaches, a $5.00 discount off the cost of greens fees. This offer is available on any day of the week. To qualify for this offer, OVIG members must identify themselves as OVIG members when reserving a tee time. And, if asked to do so, they must display their OVIG Membership Card, or CNIB Identification Card (until the 2007 membership cards are available), when paying their greens fees.
* OVIG welcomes Cambridge Golf Course to the growing number of golfing facilities which support OVIG and its members.
Guelph
OVIG members are entitled to a free power cart when playing at Victoria Park Golf Club West, 519-821-1441, with a paid green fee for both the OVIG member and her/his golf coach. Carts must be booked along with tee times. OVIG Membership Card, or CNIB Identification Card must be shown at the time of check in.
* OVIG welcomes Victoria Park Golf Course West to the growing number of golfing facilities which support OVIG and its members.
Pineview Municipal Golf Course, 613-746-4653, will offer our members 2 for 1 green fees anytime they book to play the course. Discount coupons, for golf and food platters, are available for the Metcalfe golf course just south of Ottawa. Contact Jim Hamilton for further information.
The Oakville Family Golf Center, 905-842-6120, has offered their entire facility at any time to any of our members at no charge. Their address is 1516 Upper Middle Road East. Oakville. Larry Armitage is the contact person. This award winning facility offers automatic ball setting on the driving range, chipping and putting practice areas and a short 9-hole course also. Members need only identify themselves at the desk. They have a power cart to take folks from the parking lot to the tees.
1. Chippewa Creek Golf Course Tel: (905) 679-4240
The course will offer two green fees for the price of one for afternoon play any day of the week, provided that our anticipated course bookings for that day will facilitate an appropriate pace of play and an enjoyable experience for OVIG players. Bookings can be made up to seven days in advance and those making the booking will need to request the OVIG two-for-one special. Pricing for 2006 would be two for $35.00 on weekdays, and two for $45.00 on weekends and holidays, carts extra at $15.00 per rider.
2. "Soccer World" located at Fridd Street next to the Hamilton Spectator building will allow OVIG members to use their indoor driving range for $5.00 per bucket of balls. Hours for this practice time are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Travel Allowance for OVIG Members
In an effort to increase accessibility to all members that wish to participate in our tournaments, the Board of Directors of OVIG has adopted a policy to reimburse travel expenses for all regular tournaments. A $10.00 flat allowance, will be available for these events. We will continue the previous policy for the provincial tournament. This is optional. If not needed, please do not request it.
Our policy for the provincial tournament continues to be, any trip greater than 80 kms is eligible for reimbursement at the rate of $0.15 per KM. There will be one reimbursement per golfer/coach twosome.
It is hoped that these policies will enable our members to participate in more tournaments by continuing to reduce expenses associated with playing. Remember, the primary objective of OVIG is to promote and encourage visually impaired people to enjoy the wonderful game of golf and the lasting friendships forged through this great game.
Volunteers Wanted as Coaches
If you know of someone who would like to act as a coach for a visually impaired golfer, please contact Jim Hamilton and he can help set up a meeting between coach and golfer.
2009 Tournaments Tee Times
Scheduled Tee Times will continue this year. Local events may be done by the designated local coordinator but time should not be a huge issue as there will not be a large number of tee times reserved.
Speed of Play
Speed of play is often an issue for blind golfers. Here are some suggestions to keep the pace of play moving as it should to respect golf etiquette:
Aside
from regular "blind golf" rules, please note the following:
1. Your group must be on the same hole as the group ahead of you, or be
finishing 1 hole while they are starting the next. If this is not the case,
your group shall pick-up your balls and move to the next tee. If this happens,
everyone in your group shall mark an “X” on the card for the hole on which your
group picked-up.
2. Everyone must play Ready golf, allowing the golfer who is ready to play to
take her/his next shot. However, safety comes first; so ensure that doing so
will not endanger anyone else before taking your shot
3. Putts within one foot are considered to be "gimmies", except during the
2-day Provincial Tournament.
4. Maximum score per hole shall be par plus 5. If your ball does not go in the
hole by your "par plus 5" shot, pick-up and move on. When doing this, you must
circle the score on the card to identify that you picked up your ball.
5.
Practice swings will be limited to no more then three. This can be
mentioned to and monitored by both coaches in the foursome.