Miss-Delectable
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Being deaf hasn't stopped Hoffman
Whether he is playing a practice round or competing for a national or international title, Ken Hoffman feels at home on the golf course.
The fact that he is hearing-impaired is not enough to stop the 51-year-old product of Tyvan from pursuing the sport he loves.
"I am passionate about golf because the golf course gives me peace," Hoffman says via e-mail. "There are so many beautifully designed golf courses I have played at."
Hoffman was born with a hearing impairment. When he was younger, he attended the School for the Deaf/R.J. Williams Building in Saskatoon -- a school aimed at helping integrate hearing-impaired children into a regular school setting. Presently, Hoffman can hear a little thanks to a hearing aid.
Hoffman's introduction to golf came at the age of 31. Having quit hockey and softball, Hoffman was looking for a new sport to try. When a friend suggested golf, Hoffman was admittedly hesitant. He thought the sport would be "boring." Once he started, however, Hoffman was "hooked."
Hoffman notes he mainly taught himself to play. He did not partake in golf clinics or receive any lessons. Hoffman has practised at many different courses and has been a member of the Deer Valley Golf & Estates for two years.
Although one may assume golf would be a difficult sport to play for someone who is deaf, Hoffman notes it is not that tricky.
"All deaf people can feel the vibration through the shaft of the club and the grip of the hand when the ball is hit," he explains.
Taking a quick glance at his golfing resume, it is clear that Hoffman has managed just fine.
He began competing in 1999, when he entered the Canadian deaf golf championship. By performing well at this competition, golfers earn a berth on the Canadian team that competes at the world deaf golf championship. Hoffman has taken part in the CDGC in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009. He won the senior men's division at the 2009 CDGC at Deer Valley. In 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010, he participated in the WDGC.
He still recalls his first experience at the world championship.
"It was so exciting to play against deaf golfers from all the different countries," Hoffman notes. "I was nervous for a bit, but then after that I just played golf."
One of the crowning moments of Hoffman's golfing career happened this summer. Competing in the senior men's division at the 2010 WDGC in Scotland, Hoffman shot a four-round total of 332 to claim his first world championship. He finished four strokes ahead of the next competitor.
"It was very exciting," says Hoffman. "Winning a championship was a dream come true. My friends, family and members of Deer Valley were all happy for me."
Hoffman's athletic career has been defined by more than just individual achievements. He is the president of the Saskatchewan Deaf Sports Association -- a position he has held for four years.
"I like to be involved with the deaf community," Hoffman explains. "The SDSA tries to promote sports for deaf and hearing-impaired people and increase the number of options out there for them."
Hoffman notes the SDSA still has a lot of work to do.
"There are not enough deaf or hearing impaired youths involved in sports," he says. "Playing sports can help improve their culture and social life."
For Hoffman, the next step of his golf career will be competing at the 2011 CDGC in London, Ont., in July. If successful there, Hoffman will be a part of the Canadian team that competes at the 2012 WDGC in Japan.
Whether he is playing a practice round or competing for a national or international title, Ken Hoffman feels at home on the golf course.
The fact that he is hearing-impaired is not enough to stop the 51-year-old product of Tyvan from pursuing the sport he loves.
"I am passionate about golf because the golf course gives me peace," Hoffman says via e-mail. "There are so many beautifully designed golf courses I have played at."
Hoffman was born with a hearing impairment. When he was younger, he attended the School for the Deaf/R.J. Williams Building in Saskatoon -- a school aimed at helping integrate hearing-impaired children into a regular school setting. Presently, Hoffman can hear a little thanks to a hearing aid.
Hoffman's introduction to golf came at the age of 31. Having quit hockey and softball, Hoffman was looking for a new sport to try. When a friend suggested golf, Hoffman was admittedly hesitant. He thought the sport would be "boring." Once he started, however, Hoffman was "hooked."
Hoffman notes he mainly taught himself to play. He did not partake in golf clinics or receive any lessons. Hoffman has practised at many different courses and has been a member of the Deer Valley Golf & Estates for two years.
Although one may assume golf would be a difficult sport to play for someone who is deaf, Hoffman notes it is not that tricky.
"All deaf people can feel the vibration through the shaft of the club and the grip of the hand when the ball is hit," he explains.
Taking a quick glance at his golfing resume, it is clear that Hoffman has managed just fine.
He began competing in 1999, when he entered the Canadian deaf golf championship. By performing well at this competition, golfers earn a berth on the Canadian team that competes at the world deaf golf championship. Hoffman has taken part in the CDGC in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009. He won the senior men's division at the 2009 CDGC at Deer Valley. In 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010, he participated in the WDGC.
He still recalls his first experience at the world championship.
"It was so exciting to play against deaf golfers from all the different countries," Hoffman notes. "I was nervous for a bit, but then after that I just played golf."
One of the crowning moments of Hoffman's golfing career happened this summer. Competing in the senior men's division at the 2010 WDGC in Scotland, Hoffman shot a four-round total of 332 to claim his first world championship. He finished four strokes ahead of the next competitor.
"It was very exciting," says Hoffman. "Winning a championship was a dream come true. My friends, family and members of Deer Valley were all happy for me."
Hoffman's athletic career has been defined by more than just individual achievements. He is the president of the Saskatchewan Deaf Sports Association -- a position he has held for four years.
"I like to be involved with the deaf community," Hoffman explains. "The SDSA tries to promote sports for deaf and hearing-impaired people and increase the number of options out there for them."
Hoffman notes the SDSA still has a lot of work to do.
"There are not enough deaf or hearing impaired youths involved in sports," he says. "Playing sports can help improve their culture and social life."
For Hoffman, the next step of his golf career will be competing at the 2011 CDGC in London, Ont., in July. If successful there, Hoffman will be a part of the Canadian team that competes at the 2012 WDGC in Japan.