Bernice Saunders

MASTERS CHAMPION-DISABLED GOLF
Bernice was born in Nelson in 1918 and her family moved to Trail two years later. She has resided in the community ever since. Bernice started golfing in her 20s. Unfortunately, sudden eye problems left her legally blind in 1991. After coming to grips with her disability, she decided in 1993, with the help of her husband, Hank, coach/guide, to take up golfing again. Her achievements since that time have been numerous. She is a member of the BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association, the Pacific Coast Blind Golf Association, the Western Canadian Blind Golf Association, the World Blind Golf Association and the Rossland-Trail Country Club.

She has participated annually since 1995 in the BC Seniors Games for athletes with a disability. Over the past six years, she has won 5 gold medals and 1 bronze in disabled golfing.

Also since 1995, at the Western Canadian Blind and Visually Impaired Golf Association tournaments, which includes the four western provinces, she has won low gross in two of the events.

In 1997 at the Canadian Blind and Visually Impaired Golf Championships in Saskatoon, she placed first in the Ladies category.

She has golfed in the World Blind and Visually Impaired Golf Association Tournament in Orlando, Florida in 1998 and, in the same year, received the Achievement Award from Sports BC for Outstanding Accomplishments in the Disabled Athlete of the Year category.

Bernice continues to golf at the local courses, and is very keen to compete in her sport.