Hole in one putts blind man into record books

BLIND golfer Ron Tomlinson proved a real driving force when he hit his first hole in one before being named blind player of the year.

The 57-year-old, from Essex, hit the perfect shot on a par three hole to become one of only a handful of blind players to record the dream score.

Celebrations were already in full swing after his tee shot success on the West Essex golf course in Chingford last week.

On Saturday he received another honour, being named Player’s Player of the Year by the English Blind Golf Association. Mr Tomlinson, who co-founded the EBGA in 1982 after a medical condition left him blind, made the 140-yard par three fifth hole with his trusty seven iron.

“My wife and guide Steph said the ball bounced once on the edge of the green and disappeared into the hole,” he said. “It felt brilliant.”

Mr Tomlinson is one of only three EBGA members to hole in one.