September 30, 2024 | Participant Spotlight
Zach Jefferies is like most middle school students. He enjoys spending time with friends. He likes sports and video games. He seems light-hearted and has a great sense humor. But Zach also possesses remarkable patience—an unusual quality for a young person, shaped by exceptionally challenging circumstances.
At the age of 10, Zach discovered unusual bruising on his feet after soccer practice. His local emergency room sent him to MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, where he was diagnosed with leukemia. He underwent surgery and received his first chemotherapy treatment the same night.
Zach faced more than 100 chemotherapy treatments in the years to follow. On several occasions, he was admitted to the hospital for weeks at a time. And leukemia wasn’t his only battle. In 2021, Zach suffered an adverse reaction to chemotherapy resulting in Osteonecrosis in his ankles, legs and wrists. Pain, swelling, and muscle weakness confined him to a wheelchair for 9 months and limited his mobility in the years to follow. Physical activity became an extremely difficult albeit necessary part of his recovery.
In February of 2022, Zach picked up a golf club for the first time and was instantly hooked…
“Golf provided a way for Zach to step away from the stress of treatment and replaced the loss he felt from no longer being able to play soccer. He found serenity on the course and a sense of accomplishment as his ability to play improved.”
– Lisa Jefferies
In 2023, one of our favorite Community Partners, Camp Happy Days, introduced us to Zach and helped us surprise him with an early Christmas present, a set of clubs and an invitation to participate in our On-Course Golf & Life Skills Program in 2024.
We’re thrilled to share that Zach has completed treatment, is in remission, and has been enrolled in three seasons of on-course programming!
“He loves it… He has made friends and the staff is great. It has been wonderful to see him out having fun!”
– Lisa Jefferies
At First Tee, we talk a lot about Core Values and how they are applicable on the golf course and in life. Perseverance is one of our favorites, and when Zach is on-course, we can assure you that he is teaching as much as he is learning.