When Jeremy Poincenot, San Diego State ‘11, played his first round of golf at age 10, he had no way of knowing what significance the sport would have in his life. Even when he shot a four-under-par 68 for his high school golf team, he could not have envisioned the peculiar journey that would lead him to become a world champion.
Likewise, when he joined SigEp in fall 2007, he didn’t know that his fraternity brothers would help lead him through the most trying period of his life.
Nearly two years after Poincenot lost his vision, his perfect chip shot on a playoff hole at the International Blind Golf Championship found the bottom of the cup.
“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Poincenot said. “You couldn’t write that any better.”
Coping with his condition
Poincenot’s positive outlook requires more than just an innate optimism. He also has a very special support system.
It starts with his parents, Lissa and Lionel. In fact, after Jeremy was diagnosed with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare disease for which there is no treatment and no cure, Lionel stepped up to fill the dual role of father and caddy. After spending years lining up their own drives every Sunday, Lionel now sets up his son for every shot—facing him in the right direction, and verbalizing every divot and sand bunker in the way of the pin.
“It was devastating when I lost my sight because I thought we wouldn’t have that time together,” Poincenot said.
But his dad thinks that their new situation has deepened their relationship. “I’m his eyes on the course,” he said. “We talk about every shot and every situation. On the golf course, we’re one team.”
His SigEp brothers also support him, helping with schoolwork, walking to class and anything else he needs. They received the Honor of Philias at the 2009 Grand Chapter Conclave in Orlando, which recognizes SigEp’s brothers who provide the most outstanding display of Brotherly Love.
“I’m not sure he would have made it without them,” Lionel said. “It was such a tough time in his life, but having those guys around him made a huge difference.”
Breaking out of his comfort zone Recently, Poincenot’s SigEp network expanded beyond California. In June, he attended the Ruck Leadership Institute, a five-day leadership development program with SigEp’s top undergraduates from around the country. He learned valuable lessons about teamwork and perseverance, as members of his group helped him with everything from long passages of reading to a high ropes course.
“Being at Ruck was the start of me breaking out of my comfort zone,” Poincenot recalled. “When I lost my sight two years ago, I was afraid of how people would react when I told them. When I told my Ruck group, everyone took me in with open arms. Since then I’ve been able to open up with more people.”
At Ruck, Poincenot befriended Michael Bertken, Northwest Missouri State ‘11. Bertken was so struck by Poincenot’s story that he put his new friend on a plane to attend a recruitment event and share his experience with over 30 recruits.
For Poincenot, Missouri hardly qualifies as a faraway destination. His calendar features trips to locales like China, Japan and Singapore, as he works to raise awareness of blind golfing and have it added to the Paralympic Games. His goal now is to be a motivational speaker after graduation, which has been pushed back to 2013.
The world championships Poincenot was invited to last August’s world championships in the United Kingdom after placing third in his category (golfers are grouped based on degree of vision impairment) at the 2009 U.S. National Championships in San Antonio.
A day-one score of 91 put Poincenot in the second-to-last pairing, and put a lump in his throat for day two. “My heart was pounding from the first tee to the last putt,” he recalled. “I’m sure my dad had it too, but I didn’t want to ask.”
A final round 89 forced a two-man playoff. Then came a chip shot most would have to see to believe. Poincenot listened to the ball drop in and then his dad confirmed the good news. After his opponent’s shot went past the hole, Poincenot was crowned world champion in the net score competition.
The next round Poincenot completed his journey to the top of the golf world with one magical swing, but his opportunity to serve as an inspiration is just beginning.
“I thought there was a cure to basically everything in the 21st century,” he said, letting his disbelief linger for only a second. “But it’s been two years and I’m not dwelling on it. I’m happy with my life now and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
To follow Jeremy’s journey, and learn about LHON, visit his website: www.jeremypoincenot.com.
It starts with his parents, Lissa and Lionel. In fact, after Jeremy was diagnosed with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare disease for which there is no treatment and no cure, Lionel stepped up to fill the dual role of father and caddy. After spending years lining up their own drives every Sunday, Lionel now sets up his son for every shot—facing him in the right direction, and verbalizing every divot and sand bunker in the way of the pin.
For Poincenot, Missouri hardly qualifies as a faraway destination. His calendar features trips to locales like China, Japan and Singapore, as he works to raise awareness of blind golfing and have it added to the Paralympic Games. His goal now is to be a motivational speaker after graduation, which has been pushed back to 2013.
