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Dossey is 2022-23 David Toms Overcoming Adversity Award presented by the AJGA Recipient

NORMAN, Okla. — Luke Dossey, a senior at Baylor, has been named by the GCAA as the 2022-23 David Toms Overcoming Adversity Award presented by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) recipient.

“We would like to congratulate Luke on winning the David Toms Overcoming Adversity Award,” AJGA COO Mark Oskarson said. “Luke comes from an outstanding family. His story is still being written, and the standard he has set is one of reflection, work ethic, and perseverance.”

First presented in 2010, the David Toms Award recognizes men’s collegiate golfers that have overcome obstacles in life to excel in the classroom, compete on the golf course, and demonstrate a high quality of character. Adverse situations may include but are not limited to, personal tragedy, injury, or physical, psychological, or mental disability.

“I would like to thank the GCAA and David Toms Award committee for this prestigious award,” said Dossey. “I’m so thankful for my family, coaches, teammates and friends for all their support.” 

Before his collegiate experience began, Dossey experienced tribulations he had never before. Instead of catching a flight to Pinehurst to caddy for his older brother, Cooper, in the 2019 U.S. Amateur, the Austin, Texas, native was in the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. This forced him to rest during the remaining weeks before his freshman season in Waco began. Dossey played in the Bears’ first tournament as an individual not at 100% health, and while taking a swing, his back locked up.

After seeking professional care, Dossey was diagnosed with a PARS stress fracture in the L4 and L5 vertebrae, creating a couple more months of rest and time away from the team he was beginning to be a part of. The decision by him and his family was made to take a medical redshirt.

“I wasn’t a very joyful person because I felt like golf was still an idol in my life,” Dossey said. “I dreaded going into rehab every day instead of being able to practice, but I knew that I had to do it to get back to playing the game I love.”

On February 19, 2020, when he was working his way back into swinging a club, Dossey and his Baylor teammates were playing ultimate frisbee. About five minutes into playing, Dossey jumped to catch the frisbee and landed on his leg in a way it wasn’t supposed to. A loud pop was heard and he was loaded into his brother’s car headed back to the emergency room. 

“I was crying, he was crying, and I kept asking him, ‘why does this keep happening to me?”, said Dossey.  

A spiral fracture in his tibia, fibula, and ankle joint was the diagnosis. 12 screws and two metal plates were inserted into Dossey’s leg, and after a five-night stay in the hospital, his path to returning to the course started all over again.

Through everything, Dossey learned that, if golf was ever to be taken away from him again, “I would be okay.”

“I think God gave me the talents and skills to play this game as a platform for Him,” he said. “Colossians 3:23-24 says, ‘Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.’ This is a verse that I reminded myself of and still do today.”

In the three seasons since, Dossey has been a mainstay in head coach Mike McGraw’s lineup, recording six top-20 finishes and co-medalist honors at the Bear Brawl this season while carding three eagles, a team lead.

"We are so proud of Luke winning the David Toms Award,” McGraw said. “Luke went through so much physical adversity his freshman year and handled it all with grace. His perseverance was inspiring to his teammates and coaches alike. Luke has fought his way back to the game, and he is a big reason we made it back to the NCAA Championship this year.”

He has also gotten to be Baylor teammates with Cooper and younger brother Sam.

“Our grandparents taught us the game and I am fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to play college golf with them.”

About AJGA

The AJGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

TaylorMade and Adidas are the AJGA’s National Sponsors, supporting the AJGA for more than 25 years. TaylorMade has served as the Official Ball and Adidas as the Official Apparel and Footwear of the AJGA since 2016. Rolex, in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate, and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 950 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Inbee Park, Justin Thomas, Paula Creamer, Jordan Spieth, Morgan Pressel, Rickie Fowler, and Lexi Thompson.

All-Time Recipients

Nolan Zikas, Concordia (NE) (2018-19)

Kyle Mueller, Michigan (2017-18)

Brandon Pierce, LSU (2016-17)

Ryan Korengel, Mount St. Joseph (2015-16)

Spencer Schindler, Flagler (2014-15)

Eric Banks, Florida (2013-2014)

Ryan Prokay, Robert Morris (2012-2013)

Brad Schneider, UCF (2011-2012)

Justin Lower, Malone (2010-2011)

Billy Shida, Georgia College (2009-2010)