From Misfortune Comes Opportunity


January 20, 2005

By Steve Collins, USGA Programs Associate

Ten years ago, Darius Smith was a promising football and basketball player, with dreams of being a professional athlete. And today, he does indeed make his living in the world of sports. But Smith's story is hardly ordinary.

Darius Smith poses with up-and-coming golfers last year.

Like most kids growing up in the rougher neighborhoods of Wilmington, Del., Smith didn't have many opportunities to play sports other than football and basketball. That didn't bother him since he got to play alongside his friends, had fun and knew he was talented. At the age of 12, Smith already had received recognition for his athletic talents, and he dreamt of playing either basketball or football on the professional level.

However, on Jan. 9, 1995, Smith's life forever changed. While riding his bicycle home from basketball practice that night, a car ran a stop sign and struck him. The injuries were not life-threatening, but the accident was devastating to his athletic career. He broke his ankle and leg in two places and dislocated his kneecap. Doctors told him that he would never be able to play contact sports again.

His aspirations of playing a sport professionally dashed, Smith decided to apply his athleticism elsewhere. A guidance counselor at his Wilmington elementary school recommended that Smith try a local junior golf program-the LPGA Urban Youth Golf Program of Delaware. Smith was reluctant at first since he had no experience with the sport.

"In the community I came from, golf wasn't a sport that we would think about playing," said Smith. "The rules, the dress code and just being on a golf course were very different for me."

But he made a promise to his grandmother that he would try the game, and it didn't take long for him to be hooked.

Smith discovered the same athletic abilities that made him a great basketball and football player also made him a quick learner of the game of golf. After playing for just two years, he was able to make his high school golf team. He would eventually become his school's top player, earning the role of captain from his sophomore year on.

However, the impact of the LPGA Urban Youth Golf Program on Smith's life went beyond making him a better golfer. The program's life skills and mentoring components also helped shape Smith's character. Becky Dangler, an LPGA professional who works for the program, mentored Smith immediately. She taught Smith important life skills, and she even helped him land his first job out of high school.

"What kept me interested in golf were the people in the program," said Smith. "I like Becky as my best friend. She is always there for me."

After working in the hotel business for two years in Delaware, Smith decided he wanted to make a career out of golf, so he took a risk and moved to Florida to become a golf professional. In the winter of 2003 he was hired as an assistant pro at the prestigious Bay Hill Country Club, where he worked as a junior golf instructor. He also successfully passed his Player's Ability Test, earning him a PGA Apprenticeship.

Wanting to give back to the program that meant so much to him, Smith has since moved back to Delaware to be an instructor for the LPGA Urban Youth Golf Program. Smith is eager to open doors for kids who want to follow a similar path because of the opportunities golf has given him.

"I want to . reach out to other young golfers that want to become golf professionals later in life," he said.

He is currently working on becoming a Class A PGAProfessional; Dangler and the staff at the LPGA Urban Youth Golf Program are supporting his efforts.

Smith's story is remarkable, but also a testament to golf's power to change lives for the better. The surgically-placed pins in his leg aren't the only thing Smith took away from that unfortunate accident in 1995.

He learned about a game he loved, made lifetime friends and built the foundation for a successful career.

This story first appeared at www.juniorlinks.com . For more information on Darius Smith, please contact Steve Collins at719-471-4810 ext. 35.