Terry Overcomes Horrific Accident To Leading Pioneer Golf

To look at Matthew now, you would never know the struggles the freshman has endured. On a regular day on October 18, 2012, Matthew and a few friends decided to go get something to eat. All six young men climbed into the car and off they went. The driver wanted to show his friends a cool hill and as the accelerated over the hill, the car became airborne and upon landing, the car broke an axel and flipped over five times into a ditch. Matthew was ejected from the car and soon taken to the hospital. Matthew had suffered a severe spinal cord injury requiring surgery. His right leg had not been responsive and is had not moved since the accident. On top of all of this, Matthew had a traumatic brain injury. The doctors were not sure if a full recovery was even possible based off of his glyco coma scale reading. After speaking with a preacher one day after the accident, Matthew was awakened with a sharp pain in his right leg and he was able to move it! To this day, Matthew considers it a miracle. From this "miracle", Matthew began rigorous therapy focused on speech, physical, and occupational therapy. After two more weeks of this, Matthew began to walk and then was sent for an additional six months of therapy at the Carolinas Medical Center. After this intense time, Matthew was cleared to golf and represent his high school at the region tournament. 

Even with all of this, Matthew has excelled on the golf team at SMC! "Matthew is a special young man. His work ethic and a sense of perspective have allowed him to be a leader in numerous ways at SMC" says Coach Kyle Owings. Not only has he been a starter all year for the Pioneers, he won the Fall Region X Championship hosted at River Falls Plantation and will be a leader in the next two weeks as the Pioneers head to Districts in Alabama. "By hard work and the grace of God, I am able to do what I love, and that is to play golf" concluded Terry.

 Article by Head Golf Coach Kyle Owings