Vision Cup 2024 from July 24 to 26 at GC Wien Süßenbrunn

The Vision Cup for blind and visually impaired golfers is an event organized by the International Blind Golf Association (IBGA), where the top players from Team North America (USA, Canada) compete in match play format against Team Rest of the World (“Team ROW”). The tournament has been held every two years since 2013, alternating between North America and international venues.

This year, this prestigious golf tournament for blind and visually impaired golfers will be held in Austria for the first time. In cooperation with the IBGA and the Austrian Blind Golf Association (ABGA), the Austrian Golf Association (ÖGV) is proud to host the Vision Cup 2024 from July 24 to 26 at Golfclub Wien Süßenbrunn. The event is supported by aspern Seestadt, a pioneering urban development project in Vienna, which will serve as the home base for participants during the tournament.

The Vision Cup has been held five times so far: 2013 in Columbus, Georgia/USA; 2015 in Cantu/Italy; 2017 in Creston, British Columbia/Canada; 2019 in Portmarnock, Ireland; and 2022 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida/USA. Team ROW leads the statistics with three wins and one draw. Team USA/Canada managed to win the continental comparison, modeled after the world-famous Ryder Cup of the best pro golfers from the USA and Europe, only once (2022). The defending champion is therefore Team North America.

A total of 57 different participants have competed in the five previous Vision Cups. Among them are five golfers who have played in every Vision Cup: Mario Tobia, Jeremy Poincenot, Zohar Sharon, Garrett Slattery, and John Eakin. Austria made its debut at the last event. ÖGV Disabled National Team player Karin Becker successfully represented Austria in 2022 at TPC Sawgrass, where the PGA Tour’s Players Championship is held annually, fulfilling a lifelong dream: “It has always been one of my biggest dreams to play in the Vision Cup – when I received the first email asking about my availability for the last VC, I could hardly believe it. I am truly proud to be part of Team ROW and it gives me the opportunity to represent my country around the world and show Austria that blind golf exists.”

Her message to visually impaired people who want to try golf for the first time, or to those golfers who gave up the sport after losing their sight: “You don’t have to see it, to tee it! Golf is the only sport you can play your whole life, you can be part of the social life in your region, meet new friends, have fun, and discover how much joy you get when you try to make friends with that little white ball.”

In addition to Becker, who won the world title at the ISPS Handa World Blind Golf Championship 2023, other former and current world champions in blind golf will also be competing. The strong field of participants will inspect the course for the first time during the practice round on July 23. There will also be a taster golf event that day, where the athletes will demonstrate their skills. People with disabilities will have the chance to pick up a club for the first time under the guidance of professional coaches and experience golf firsthand.

The goal of the Vision Cup is also to raise awareness for blind golf, make the sport more accessible for people with visual impairments, and generally promote inclusion in sports. All interested parties and media representatives are warmly invited to attend on all tournament days to witness the outstanding achievements of the participants. In the evening, a welcome reception for all Vision Cup participants, partners, and media will take place at the ARIANA event location in aspern Seestadt. “I am very pleased that aspern Seestadt can welcome the participants and organizers of the Vision Cup in two ways: at the Dormero HoHo Wien, the hotel in the wooden high-rise, and at the top-class ARIANA event location for the opening gala. On behalf of the Seestadt development company, I wish you a great game at GC Süßenbrunn and a wonderful time in Seestadt,” said Gerhard Schuster, CEO of Wien 3420 aspern Development AG.

We cordially invite you to visit the Vision Cup 2024 at GC Wien Süßenbrunn and experience this inspiring event with us.

Date: July 24 to 26, 2024

Program

• Tuesday, July 23
  Practice round
  From 12:30 taster golf at GC Süßenbrunn
   
• Wednesday, July 24
  10:00 am Opening ceremony Golf Club Süßenbrunn
  11:30 am Start of the first round of foursome matches
   
• Thursday, July 25
  10:00 am Start of round 2 foursome matches
   
• Friday, July 26
  10:00 am Start of singles
  4:30 pm Closing dinner and awards ceremony at Golfclub Wien-Süßenbrunn
   

About the Vision Cup

The Vision Cup is an international golf tournament specifically designed for blind and visually impaired golfers. It is organized by the International Blind Golf Association (IBGA) and takes place every two years, with teams from North America and the Rest of the World competing against each other.

The Vision Cup gives blind and visually impaired golfers the opportunity to showcase their skills and bring the sport of golf to a wider audience. Players compete in various formats, including individual and team competitions. The aim is to foster team spirit, raise awareness for blind golf, and make the sport more accessible for people with visual impairments.