D.J. Gregory was never supposed to walk. When he was an infant, doctors told his parents that he was most likely bound for a life in a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy.
They were wrong.
Gregory battled through multiple surgeries and learned to walk with the help of a cane. At the age of 12, Gregory fell in love with the game of golf and the rest, you could say, is history.
In the later part of 2019, Gregory started his Walking For Kids Foundation which allows PGA Tour players and fans of the sport to donate to children’s charities.
Recently, the foundation passed $1 million raised in total.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour honored Gregory with the PGA Tour Courage Award during a surprise ceremony at the WM Phoenix Open.
“D.J. has endeared himself to countless fans, players, staff, and tournaments for over a decade on the PGA Tour and is a tremendous example of perseverance and courage,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Our players have embraced D.J. over the years and continue to be motivated by his dedication to the Walking For Kids Foundation. We couldn’t be prouder of the impact he has made and the many lives he has touched in a positive way.”
Gregory is the fifth recipient of the award and first non-member of the PGA Tour to be honored.
Since 2008, Gregory has walked over 14,000 miles and 42,000 holes at PGA Tour events.
14,000 miles
42,000 holes
$1 million raised @WalkingForKids
DJ Gregory is the recipient of the PGA TOUR Courage Award. pic.twitter.com/clqPPur76E
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 8, 2022
During the award ceremony at TPC Scottsdale, Monahan announced that the PGA Tour would make a $25,000 donation to Walking For Kids. Waste Management then followed suit, as did Jon Rahm. Gregory will be walking with the World No. 1 throughout the week in Scottsdale. The two were together last summer at Torrey Pines when Rahm won the U.S. Open.
If you’re interested in learning more about Gregory and his story, ESPN released an E:60 profile on him back in 2008.