Tom Phipps and his local ministry

"Life in community is no less than a necessity for us, an inescapable 'must'... all life created by God exists in communal order and works toward community." -- Eberhard Arnold

WAUKON (KWWL) - An annual golf tournament lets players experience challenges of the blind.
The tournament was started by Tom Phipps who lost his sight 15 years ago. He loves to play golf, and wants to help others, so he started a golf tournament that raises money for the Lion's Club.
"If we have people who can't afford eye glasses, we help pay for those, the eye exam, and the glasses," says Gerald Schroedel, Lion's Club President.
"They're finding out how I golf and the challenge of the handicapped people," says Phipps. "The way the economy is right now, a lot of these kids just can't afford eye glasses, eye exams."
"I don't know what I'd do if I went blind, it's definitely hard," says Lonnie Byrnes, blindfolded golfer.
The blindfolded golfers were assisted by their partners.
"The money goes to a good cause, it's fun to be out here and do this and it's fun to see what it's like through somebody else's eyes, so to speak," said Byrnes.
"This really gives people an idea just what blind people go through," said Schroedel.
Now in its 9th year, more than 50 players tried golfing blindfolded, raising $1,000 dollars for the Lion's Club.
"It's really been a great tournament and I hope it keeps getting bigger and bigger," said Phipps.