World Invitational and British Blind Golf Championships, 2006 is being held in Edinburgh (U.K.), from 3 to 9 September 2006 at the Ratho Park Golf Club.

Golfer Cameron McDiarmid, 18, will defend the title he won two years ago at Westerwood Golf Club in East Kilbride (Canada).

"I think I can defend my title," Cameron said. "Golf is always a funny game so I'm just going to keep my head down and play my own game." There's a much wider variety in the field this year so it could be a bit more of a challenge.He will be competing against golfers from Canada, Australia, Israel and Sweden.

Blind golf involves almost no adjustment to the original rules. The only substantial change is that golfers are allowed to rest their clubs on the ground while the ball is in a hazard, such as a water feature or bunker.

The players rely more heavily than sighted golfers on their caddies, who are responsible for guiding them around the course. When taking shots, the caddie aligns the golfer to the hole or pin, and describes wind conditions and the lie of the ball.

The golfer is then left alone to take the shot, using his experience to judge how strong a swing is required. The show is being organised by the Scottish Blind Golf Society. Blind golfer Gerry Kelly, who is on the organising committee of the World Invitational, said blind golf, was an increasingly popular sport and he hoped that more people would be encouraged to take part. "Our purpose is to publicise our association and encourage more blind people to become involved in the game of golf," said Kelly.