The Beginning of the Story…

Whether overcoming multiple open-heart surgeries by age five or facing a daunting dogleg par-5, John Covington of Columbia, Missouri, is familiar with facing difficult challenges. At three weeks of age, John, a pediatric cardiology patient at the University of Missouri Children's Hospital, underwent a cardiac catheterization, which revealed a very serious heart defect. Covington later underwent two open-heart surgeries at the ages of 13 months and five years.

In addition to his heart defect, John was born with a radial club left hand. This condition required him to undergo numerous orthopedic surgeries. Even though challenged with no left thumb and several left fingers that do not bend, John played sports throughout his life.

Once deciding to make golf his focus, he earned a degree from the Professional Golfers Career College in Temecula, California, and has been working as a golf professional in the St. Louis area.

In July, 2006, John was presented with the University of Missouri Hospital's Hope and Spirit Award. The award honors past University Hospital patients who demonstrate courage and perseverance in overcoming extraordinary circumstances in their lives.

Success in several local golf tournaments and the encouragement of his fellow professionals inspired John to pursue his dream of playing professional golf.

John is driven by a passion to help inspire challenged youth to also overcome adversity. He plans to utilize his golf opportunities to found the DIG Foundation.