Golf champion to speak at Woodward Library Society Spring Social
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. 鈥 David Meador, a four-time golf national champion, once toyed with the idea of becoming a police officer. In the summer of 1966, the 18-year-old Meador worked part time as a police station radio operator, and one evening, he was invited to take a ride in a new police cruiser. At some point during the night, the officer behind the wheel engaged in a high-speed pursuit of another vehicle, and he ended up crashing the new cruiser.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. 鈥 David Meador, a four-time golf national champion, once toyed with the idea of becoming a police officer. In the summer of 1966, the 18-year-old Meador worked part time as a police station radio operator, and one evening, he was invited to take a ride in a new police cruiser. At some point during the night, the officer behind the wheel engaged in a high-speed pursuit of another vehicle, and he ended up crashing the new cruiser.
Meador suffered several injuries to his skull, and when the bandages were finally removed from his head, he discovered that he was completely blind.
鈥淭otal blindness for me has been a long and unexpected walk,鈥 Meador said. 鈥淏ut as I look back some 48 years now, it鈥檚 been one of the best things that has ever happened to me.鈥
At 5:30 p.m. on April 27, Meador will elaborate on this strange concept of good fortune as he delivers the featured speech at The Woodward Library Society Spring Social dinner at the F&M Bank鈥檚 Franklin Room in downtown Clarksville. The event is a fundraiser, open to both society members and non-members, with proceeds benefitting the Austin Peay State University Felix G. Woodward Library.
鈥淚 encourage anyone who likes a great story to come and hear David Meador,鈥 Joe Weber, director of Library Services at APSU, said. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l laugh, you鈥檒l cry and ultimately you will be charmed and inspired.鈥
On a winter afternoon, shortly after losing his eyesight, Meador stood with his father on an empty golf course. The older Meador handed his son a golf club.
鈥淚 will never forget that first shot鈥攁 7-iron,鈥 Meador wrote in an essay for Golf Digest. 鈥淭he sound of the ball, the soft release of the divot, the wind on my cheek, all the senses came together so that it was like seeing the high draw trace the sky. (Before the accident I was breaking 80 regularly.) In that instant I realized a blind man can play golf, and who knew what else.鈥
Meador will reveal more about his astounding success on the golf course and in the professional world during the April 27 event. He will also be selling and signing copies of his book, 鈥淏roken Eyes, Unbroken Spirit.鈥
Founded in 2009, the Woodward Library Society is an organization of friends dedicated to the advancement of the University鈥檚 library. Tickets to The Society Social are $50 for members and $65 for non-members. In addition to Meador鈥檚 talk, the evening will feature a social hour with hors d鈥檕euvres and wine bar, and dinner with a choice of chicken or vegetarian entrees. Raffle tickets for prizes, donated by area golf courses, will be sold during the dinner.
Tickets must be reserved by April 20 at the Woodward Library Office or by phoning 931-221-7618.