Who Says You Need to See to Golf? Not This Player

The Guiding Eyes For the Blind 34th Annual Golf Classic hosted by New York Giants Quarterback, Eli Manning, drew hundreds of golfers who participated in the two day tournament on Sunday and Monday.

Around 288 golfers partook in the event, which was held at the Mount Kisco Country Club and the Whippoorwill Club in Armonk.

A number of blind golfers teed off to help raise money, including Mike Mercado who came from Albany to play the course.  Mercado lost his sight during his mid-twenties due to glaucoma. He took up bowling and then golf, despite not having played it when he was sighted.

Mercado and his coach, Bob Clingerman, were all laughs as they played in a Scramble with four ladies during the tournament on Monday.

“I always enjoy myself and the big thing is helping Guiding Eyes,” Mercado said, taking a quick break after a long put. “I just enjoy the game and always try to improve.”

Clingerman has been coaching Mercado at golf for about 10 years. “I met Bob and that’s when my game improved,” Mercado said.

As a coach, Clingerman acts as Mercado’s eyes, positioning him to hit the ball and telling him the ground conditions.

“Blind golfers have a big advantage because when they hit a bad shot it’s the coaches’ fault,” he joked.

Mercado didn’t do as well as he would have hoped in the tournament on Sunday, but that didn’t stop him from coming back out for another round.

As he said, hearing the rattle as his golf ball goes into the cup is worth it.

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