Stuart Hutcheson Two Time Major Blind Golf Winner

Stuart is an extraordinary individual and talented blind golfer who has recently achieved remarkable treble success in his first season on the England & Wales Blind Golf Tour. Stuart's extraordinary accomplishments have caught the attention of the Worldwide blind golfing community.

Stuart Hutcheson is a blind golfer who was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease in his mid-twenties. (Stargardt’s Disease or Stargardt’s Macular Degeneration is a genetic eye disorder that causes progressive vision loss. This disorder affects the retina but specifically it affects a small area near the centre of the retina called the macula. The macula is responsible for sharp central vision, which is needed for detailed tasks such as reading, driving, and recognising faces).

We now need to raise money to support this extraordinary person fully realise his ambition and hid potential.

Stuart has demonstrated an unparalleled passion for the game of golf and remarkable skill despite the challenges he faces, he is categorized as a B2 golfer, he has less than 5% vision in both eyes and no central vision at all.

His incredible journey began 18 months ago when he was forced to give up work due to his disorder. After a random conversation with the bloke who provides him with his guide dogs and in conjunction with his Brother-in-law John, he decided that he would like to take up golf again something he had not done in over 27 years. He was told of the England & Wales Blind Golf Tour, so he and John worked tirelessly throughout 2022 firstly trying to reintroduce Stuart to the game of his childhood, but also doing it with the handicap of not being able to see.

His first season began in April but was punctuated by the need to have a hernia operation in May which put him out of action for 6 weeks. Such is Stuart’s character that he would not let this lose his focus and he underwent a rigorous 6-week training regime on those elements of his game he could physically undertake (putting, chipping).

Upon his return to action Stuart was given a huge boost he received an invite to compete in the British Open in Belton Woods, Lincolnshire. As Stuart had joined the Blind Golf Tour in December, he had missed the closing date for the British Open which had closed in October. He placed himself on the reserve list so was delighted when one of the overseas competitors dropped out.

With a field of two current World Champions and four former World Champions and over 50 current and past Internationals from 12 countries Stuart lay 3rd trailing by 4 shots after round 1. In round 2 he produced the round of his life hitting a 4 under par (net 68) to win the British Open by 4 clear shots.

Since this feat the second half of the season has seen him break and nearly break Blind Golf records on a weekly basis.

In August he finished tied 1st in the British Masters (but unfortunately lost on a countback), if he had won this, he would have been the first British Blind Golfer in the 40-year history of the Sport to win the Open and Masters in the same year. By having such a strong finish in the Master’s this meant Stuart finished the end of year Order of Merit in 6th place, remarkable having missed two events due to his operation. Finishing 6th meant an automatic selection in the England & Wales Team to play Scotland in the end of season ‘Auld Enemy’ International match in Cardrona, Peebles.

At this International match Stuart was the only player from either side to win all 3 of his matches (7&5 Foresomes, 4&2 Fourballs & 6&5 Singles) and in doing so became the only ‘Rookie’ to ever win all 3 matches in his debut event in the 40-year History of the annual match.

After arriving home late on the Friday evening from the International match Stuart and his caddie/ coach boarded a plane to Dublin early Sunday Morning to attend the Irish Open in Tullow, County Carlow. The invite to compete came from the Secretary Of Irish Blind Golf who was able to obtain a special sponsors pass for Stuart. This would be the first Irish Open to be held since before covid they specifically wanted the British Open Winner in attendance.

The Mount Wolseley Spa & Golf Resort was a fantastic venue and the course itself was an extreme test of golf but after two days Stuart finished an incredible 7 shots clear of the field to pick up his second International Event of the Season in only his second start.

In winning the Irish Open Stuart became the first blind golfer ever to win the British and Irish Open’s in the same year.

The field contained over 30 competitors from all over the World including the current US Open Champion.

Of the global events played this year Stuart is the only person to win more than one International event in 2023 and has propelled himself to now being the most talked about and widely known figure in the World of blind golf.

Stuart's achievements and growing influence make him an exceptional ambassador for any brand. His dedication to promoting inclusivity and accessibility within the sport of golf has made him a respected figure among players and followers of blind golf alike.

Now Stuart needs some help to fully realise the ambition and be the role model for thousands around the world Stuart needs to attend these global events, he is retired and has no form of income outside of his ill health pension, we are therefore requesting support to help with travel costs for Stuart to attend these events.

As a consequence of winning the British and Irish Open’s Stuart now will now be expected to play in all 9 International Blind Golf Events across the globe from Australia to Canada and from Japan to Scandinavia.

Any support would significantly contribute to enhancing Stuart’s golfing journey, allowing him to further excel in the sport and act as a beacon of inspiration for visually impaired individuals worldwide.