BCC golfer battles back from coma

6/1/2012 (Updated 10:48:24 PM)

ENDWELL -- Golf can be referred to as a four letter word. At times it's the most frustrating thing one does.

But as Erik Columbia shows us, the most frustrating thing is being told you might never play again.

"It was a beautiful day, 60-degrees, and the first miracle that I had was my fiancee talking me into wearing my helmet."

This is not how your typical golf story starts, but yet, this isn't your typical golf story.

Meet David Hensberry, a 28-year old freshmen golfer at BCC, who has many passions in life. Two of them being golf and skiing, but one of them almost cost him his life seven years ago.

"We all went up to the top of the mountain. We were stopped on a trail called Uncas, and everybody said 'Alright we're going to go.' Ten yards later I was in the woods sliding on my back. The ski patrol said I hit the first going about 40 mph, and that initial impact is what broke my neck."

After the accident, David spent nine days in a medically induced coma, after that he underwent surgery to repair his seven broken vertebrae, six ribs, collarbone, scapula and jaw. It's a time in his life that he's reminded of everyday, but it was one thought in particular, the thought of losing golf that hit hardest.

"I'm an emotional guy, and the thought of never being able to golf again, which is one of my greatest passions in life, was devastating."

With the help of his family David got through the rigorous rehab, and slowly worked his way back into playing golf. This summer David heard that his former hockey coach, Pat Collins, was the head coach for BCC Golf. So, David figured he might give college golf a try.

"He had no idea that I was even still around, and I just called him out of the blue, and said 'You're never going to guess who it is," said Hensberry.

I knew that he had played in some of the local events, but I didn't know what caliber of a golfer David was," said Collins.

Collins gave David a shot at tryouts; he made the team, and has been shooting low scores for the Hornets all season.

This Sunday the pair will travel to NJCAA National Tournament in Jamestown --bringing this comeback story full circle.

"The emotions will probably be flowing. I'll probably be pretty nervous. To do this for myself, my coaches, my parents (and) everybody I play golf with and supported me, is incredible."


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