UNITED STATES BLIND GOLF ASSOCIATION
3911 Dodson Chapel Road #34, Hermitage, TN 37076 615-679-9629
www.blindgolf.com
Non Profit Since 1953
This year, the United States Blind Golf Association (USBGA) will conduct its 69th national
championship. Over this time period, several members have exhibited great talent in the game of golf
— names like Charley Boswell and Joe Lazaro — but none more talented than Pat Browne, Jr. We
take great pride that Pat’s name has been nominated for induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame
in the category of Lifetime Achievement. The joy we have in Pat’s nomination is enhanced by the
knowledge that he was nominated by Mr. Arnold Palmer.
HELP ELECT PAT BROWNE, JR. TO THE WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME
Pat Browne, Jr. was a promising attorney and a scratch golfer, that is, until the day he lost his sight in
a fateful car accident in 1966. Instead of feeling sorry for himself and losing hope, he discovered the
sport - and art - of blind golf. He became the most successful blind golfer of all time, amassing over
70 worldwide blind golf victories, including 23 National Championships. He was also the first blind
golfer to ever record a hole-in-one at the historic 7th hole of the San Francisco Golf Club.
As an ambassador to the great game of blind golf, he played a 9-hole exhibition match with two-time
U.S. Open Champion, Payne Stewart in 1990. Mr. Stewart was blindfolded for the entire match and
played with the aid of a coach. He shot a score of 60, while Pat shot a brilliant 42. A few days
afterwards, Mr. Stewart told a friend, “If I practiced every day, I still could not beat Pat Browne!”
Imagine, a champion PGA Tour professional saying that about playing against a blind golfer.
Pat has been fortunate enough to be aided by many of his friends as his Coach, or his “eyes on the
course”, by lining him up for every shot. Pat has always stressed his appreciation for the coach
playing such a key role in their success as a team. However, his coaches have expressed that they are
actually in debt to him for showing, by example, what can be accomplished through faith and
perseverance.
There is no dispute that Pat Browne, Jr. is the most accomplished blind golfer who ever lived, but his
achievements echo well beyond the fairways and greens. Pat is a testament to the human spirit, an
inspiration and reminder to us all that even the harshest of life’s obstacles cannot prevent us from
pursuing our dreams and excelling in what we love.
Mr. Browne is now 80 years old and is still practicing his game and playing in competitive golf
events. He retired from a successful career as the President and CEO of Hibernia Bank and he lives in
New Orleans with his wife, Sherry. He is the father of three daughters and one son, as well as a
grandfather of nine grandchildren.
For decades, Pat Browne’s champion spirit has served the world of golf. You can honor his passion,
his skill, and his courage by helping to achieve election to the World Golf Hall of Fame. Please send
a note on why you believe Pat should be honored beside the other greats of the game. Email your
support to Letters@wghof.org with Pat Browne, Jr. in the subject line. Please vote now to insure
Pat is recognized in a world where he excelled.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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Shot rounds of 75,74,79,75 in 1980 at Mission Hills Golf Club, Palm
Springs, CA which is the lowest four consecutive rounds ever by a totally
blind golfer
Shot 80 in 1979 at Pinehurst #2 in North Carolina
Shot 85 in 1980 at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland
Shot 36 in 1982 on the back nine at Bryan Municipal Park GC, Greensboro,
NC which is the lowest 9-hole score in USBGA competition history
Won 23 USBGA National Championships between 1975 – 2005; 20 of which
were won consecutively from 1978-1997
Won 24 Corcoran Cup titles — 16 of which were won consecutively. The
Corcoran Cup is sponsored by Guiding Eyes For the Blind in Yorktown
Heights, New York. This event is often referred to as the “Masters of Blind
Golf” for its invitational nature. WGHOF member, Ken Venturi was the
spokesperson for this event for over 25 years.
Recorded over 70 blind golf victories worldwide
President of the USBGA, 1974 - 1992
Elected to the Tulane University Athletic Hall of Fame, 1983
Ben Hogan Award Winner (presented by the Golf Writers Association of
America), 1988
Elected to the Sugar Bowl Athletic Hall of Fame, 1995
Elected to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, 1998
Mary Bea Porter Award Winner (presented by the Metropolitan Golf Writers
Association), 2007
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