Blind ambition
Charlie Boswell has always been one of my heroes. He has inspired me and
thousands of others to rise above hard circumstances and live our true
passion. Charlie was blinded during World War II while rescuing his friend
from a tank that was under fire. He was a great athlete before his accident
and in a testimony to his talent of sports and determination of overcoming
his fate, he decided to try a brand new sport, a sport he never imagined
playing, even with his eyesight... golf!
Through determination and a deep love for the game he did a miracle -
becoming the National Blind Golf Champion! Moreover, he won that honor
13 times. Very few people knew that one of his heroes was the great golfer
Ben Hogan, so it truly was an honor for Charlie to win the Ben Hogan
Award in 1958.
Upon meeting Ben Hogan for the first time, Charlie was awestruck Hogan’s
talent and stated that he had one wish and it was to have one round of golf
with the great Ben Hogan.
Mr. Hogan agreed that playing a round together would be an honor for him
as well, as he had heard about all of Charlie’s accomplishments. Hogan said
that he truly admired Charlie’s skills – the one with will of iron.
“Would you like to play for money, Mr. Hogan?” blurted out Charlie when
talking with Hogan.
“I can’t play you for money, it wouldn’t be fair!” immediately said Mr.
Hogan.
“Aw, come on, Mr. Hogan $1,000 per hole!”
“I can’t, what would people think of me, taking advantage of you and your
circumstance,” replied the well-known golfer, unable to be surprised by this
rather interesting offer.
