BLIND GOLFERS: They can't see the ball, but they sure can drive it Today's golf tournament at Lagoon Park features one major twist -- the competitors are blind.

Fourteen golfers will compete today in one of four United States Blind Golfers Association regional tournaments. The competitions determine which golfers ultimately qualify for the national tournament.

The golfers are also out to send a message.

"It shows people who are blind can still have an active, productive life and can participate in sports and have a good solid life," Blue-Gray Association president Durden Dean said.

Since the competitors can't see, they are teamed with coaches. The coaches perform regular caddy duties while also helping the golfers line up properly for their shots. They also place the club head behind the ball.

"The rest of it is just basically muscle memory," Dean said. "They've become so adept at doing this that they're able to swing through and make contact with the ball. The coach lines them up and makes sure they're hitting it where they're supposed to be hitting it. It basically becomes a team sport."

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