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COLOMBIAN GIRL REFUGEE TO PLAY GOLF IN TEXAS

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/golf/stories/082708dns...

04:10 AM CDT on Wednesday, August 27, 2008
By BILL NICHOLS / The Dallas Morning News
brnichols at dallasnews.com

Valeria De Fex moved to the Dallas area just in time for third grade. She had no friends. She spoke no English. And her family's belongings were crammed in suitcases after their escape from Colombia because of a threat on her father.

Scared and confused, she struggled fitting in, mostly avoiding social contact at the four schools she attended during her first two years. Her mother searched for activities that might spark confidence, remove the protective coat of shyness.

At L.B. Houston for a First Tee of Dallas program, De Fex refused to sign until she felt a convincing pinch on her arm from her mother. Hitting a golf ball seemed harder than learning a new language. Her first tee shot went backward.

But as De Fex swung on the range, something clicked. She kept going back, each session inspiring a little more confidence. Her swing improved, her scores dropped and her outlook soared.

G.J. MCCARTHY / DMN
Valeria De Fex moved to the Dallas area nine years ago from Colombia, where her father had been threatened with violence. On Friday, De Fex may need to pinch herself as she looks out on the Pacific Ocean while walking the fairways of Pebble Beach. She is one of 70 First Tee juniors selected to play in the Wal-Mart First Tee Open, a Champions Tour event in which pros team up with young amateurs. Selections were based on playing ability and comprehension of life skills lessons through First Tee programs.

De Fex, 17, has undergone a transformation in four years with the First Tee. She's outgoing, shoots in the 80s and hopes to attract a college scholarship.

"The First Tee saw something in me that I didn't see," said De Fex, a senior at North Hills Preparatory in Irving. "It has completely changed my life. I'm confident, I have more friends and I have more things to talk about. My life revolves around golf."

The girl who couldn't picture swinging a club has become the poster child for the First Tee of Dallas, one of 43 chapters worldwide. The First Tee's mission is to help young people of all backgrounds learn values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship through golf.

After not making the field in two previous qualifying attempts for the First Tee Open, De Fex was among 90 participants who went through the selection process, which included golf and interview sessions.

Success story
"Her story is the ultimate of what we like to tell," said Chuck Walker, director of programs for the First Tee of Dallas. "She was shy, lost in 2004. The First Tee was like a big brother to her. She used the game of golf to improve her life."

De Fex's life changed dramatically in 2000. Her father, a marine biologist, was researching the environmental effects of the Urra hydroelectric dam, built on the Sinu River by the Colombian government. The project had severe ecological repercussions, leading to violent conflict between the indigenous people and the government. The region has been rocked by the political fallout, including protests, assassinations and kidnappings, for more than a decade.

When Raul De Fex received a life-threatening phone call, the family fled to the Dallas area, where Raul's brother practices medicine.

Raul eventually became a teacher in the Dallas ISD. His wife, Diana, who left a dental practice in Colombia, stayed at their new home with Valeria and her sister.

"The whole thing was devastating, a huge change for her," Diana said of Valeria. "She was sad because all her friends were in Colombia. She was so shy. But with the First Tee, she found a second comfort zone. We are a Catholic family that believes very strongly in the nine core values they teach. And she became very passionate about golf."

The First Tee of Dallas serves about 2,000 kids ages 7-17 each year at five locations: L.B. Houston, Tenison Park, Cedar Crest, Keeton Park and Golden Bear Golf Center. They have in-school, after-school and weekend programs that focus on nine core values: honesty, integrity, perseverance, sportsmanship, respect, judgment, confidence, responsibility and courtesy.

Diana was desperate to get Valeria involved in an activity. She decided on the First Tee after a friend sent her an e-mail. But golf wasn't an easy sell.

"I thought golf was for losers," Valeria said. "But Chuck was so patient. He said, 'Keep coming back, we might find something special in you.' I kept coming back."

Work paid off
After two years with the First Tee, Valeria made the varsity team at Bishop Dunne in Dallas during her freshman year. To do that, she worked with Walker every day, dropping 10 strokes.

Her involvement with the First Tee has opened many doors. She attended a national academy at last year's PGA Championship in Tulsa. She went through qualifying events for the Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Kansas State and did the interview sessions in New Hampshire. In November, she will attend the Future Leaders Forum in Orlando.

At the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, De Fex had a nice conversation with PGA Tour player Camilo Villegas, a rising star from Colombia.

"He told her to be serious about golf and chase her dreams," Diana De Fex said.

THE FIRST TEE OF DALLAS
What: One of 43 chapters of the First Tee, an initiative of the World Golf Foundation. The organization helps children develop values such as honesty and sportsmanship.

Who: Ages 7-17

When: Year-round; the First Tee of Dallas will run about 600 programs and events this year.

Where: Dallas office – 2909 Cole Ave.

Facilities: Tenison Park; Cedar Crest; Grover Keeton; L.B. Houston; Stevens Park; TopGolf Dallas; Golden Bear Golf Center, Carrollton

Contact: www.thefirstteedallas.org; 214-954-4402

Wal-Mart First Tee Open: Seventy First Tee players partner with Champions Tour pros at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Del Monte Golf Course on Friday-Sunday. Eight other juniors are given exemptions by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. On Friday and Saturday, all the pros and amateurs compete. On Sunday, all 78 pros and the leading 22 juniors will play at Pebble Beach, and the other 56 juniors will play at Del Monte.

VALERIA DE FEX
Age: 17

Birthplace: Monteria, Colombia

Residence: Irving

School: North Hills Preparatory

Family: Father Raul; mother Diana; sister Valentina, 14

Notable: Shot 89-82 to win medalist honors and lead North Hills to the District 15-2A title in April. ... Tied for eighth at the Dallas Junior Golf Championship at Tenison Park (rounds of 82-84-84). ... T-16th at the Starburst Junior in Waco in June.

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By mariacvetanoski on Aug 27, 2008, 06:23 in Friendly Talkzone.

Bill Turley (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 27, 2008, 06:50:

This is a great story, it brings tears to my eyes.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Aug 27, 2008, 06:58:

REFUGEE?????? ESCAPING DEATH THREATS
AND YOU GUYS REALLY BELEIVE THAT CHIT JAJAJAJ

I'll get there, when I get there!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

webmanco says on Aug 27, 2008, 07:05:

Ultima hora,

NewsFlash

Guajiro Refugee to play Elmo (a bathroom cleaner) in NYC, escaping burundanga and indiference from Cachacos and own corronchos in LoCombia

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Aug 27, 2008, 07:14:

if i may, let me put it this way.
if my black ass was in danger from death threats, i'll fokin run all the way to ecuador or venezuela and NOT wait for USA to let me in.
I know the it makes for a good story, "refugee girl, golf champ" but come on.
If the girl is talented lets celebrate that and not come out with some bs

I'll get there, when I get there!

0 funny, 0 helpful.