CLEVELAND — Even with golf being one of the most frustrating sports, you’re almost guaranteed to see people out hitting the links on a nice summer day.
People like Huston Nagy.
“I’m going to be a sophomore in the fall so 10th grade,” said Nagy, who is a golfer and member of The Turn.
Nagy has been blind since birth and a member of The Turn for a couple of years. The Turn is an organization on a mission to serve people with physical disabilities. They’ve been around since 2002, providing innovative golf, fitness and wellness programs for more than 200 participants of all ages.
“I feel like it’s always something I’ve wanted to do,” said Nagy.
Golf isn’t the only sport Nagy loves.
He lifts weights, plays basketball, swims and dabbled in wrestling as well.
“I was on the wrestling team back in middle school,” said Nagy.
Golf has always been on his radar and he said his dad and grandpa are to thank for that.
“I guess they taught me a thing or two,” said Nagy.
Being a blind golfer comes with its challenges, but Nagy and The Turn make it work.
It helps that Nagy has a great sense of humor and doesn’t get frustrated when his game isn’t going his way. Like when he had a great hole at the Junior PGA Tournament a few weeks ago.
“I literally had to putt it the whole length of the green and it literally was right on the edge of the cup and stopped,” said Nagy. “So close and it couldn’t quite go in.”
Nagy is one of the hundreds of golfers at The Turn that people like Erin Craig are happy to work with.
Craig has been a golf professional for more than a decade. She said working with The Turn has been the highlight of her career.
“Before I’d give lessons and we’d always pinpoint and say, OK, we want a slight fade or a draw,” said Craig. “Now it’s just seeing the look on people’s faces when they make contact with the ball for the first time.”
It’s something that benefits both teacher and student.
“That’s something that makes me feel good,” said Craig. “Because I see the smile they have on their face.”
