Man with cerebral palsy raises funds green by green
D.J. Gregory walks each hole of PGA Tour, while pros support his efforts.
PALM BEACH GARDENS — D.J. Gregory set out to walk every hole on the PGA Tour in 2008 to fulfill a lifelong dream.
With a cane in hand, he accomplished it. And Gregory, who was born with cerebral palsy, is still walking.
He’s followed a golfer for every tournament since then. For this year’s Honda Classic, it’s Scott Brown. The two chatted briefly before Brown, of Aiken, S.C., teed off at about 8 a.m. Friday. Go to PalmBeachPost.
for The Post’s extensive coverage of the Honda Classic. Reporters Sarah Peters, Bill DiPaolo, Brian Biggane and Dave George and photographers Michael Ares and Bill Ingram will be on the PGA National grounds all weekend.
Gregory, 39, of Henderson, N.C., turned the accomplishment of his dream of walking every hole into a charitable enterprise called Walking for Kids. The nonprofit foundation has given $550,000 in seven years to organizations that help children with special needs, Gregory said.
On Tuesday, he was in Kansas City to present the First Tee, a golf development program for kids, with a $25,000 check.
“When I get a chance to give away the money, that’s what makes those long days and those ‘walking in the rain’ days worth it,” he said.
As a child, Gregory had five surgeries on his legs and six on his eyes. Not only is he able to walk, he can play golf with one hand.
He scrimps in order to maximize charitable giving. He has a yearlong PGA credential and is staying at a hotel in West Palm Beach rather than at PGA National, which is $230 to $280 per night and up during the tournament. Corporate sponsorships help off-