David Patterson, PGA
More than a Comeback
By: Chase Muro
In September, David Patterson accomplished something he had dreamed about for years. The first assistant golf professional at Orchard Hills Golf & Country Club in Washougal, Washington, qualified for the 2027 PGA Professional Championship, earning the opportunity to compete against some of the country's top club professionals next April in Florida.
Under ordinary circumstances, that achievement alone would make for a great story.
But David's circumstances were anything but ordinary.
Just ten months earlier, he had entered the hospital expecting a relatively routine surgery and a short recovery. Instead, he endured three operations, spent nearly a month hospitalized, and began a long, complicated recovery that would test him physically, mentally, and spiritually.
At one point, he had eight tubes coming from his body. For more than six months, he slept in a recliner or rocking chair. And as recently as this summer, doctors were preparing him for another major surgery that could have set his recovery back considerably.
Through it all, David leaned on his faith, his wife Shelby, their daughters, and a community of people who refused to let the family face the uncertainty alone.
When I recently talked with David, I expected to hear about an impressive return to competitive golf. What I heard was a much bigger story about perspective, patience, and how quickly life can change.
The Road He Never Expected
Growing up in Camas, Washington, David never pictured himself making a career out of golf.
He was a baseball player.
Golf was something he picked up during his junior year at Camas High School, partly to fill a season. He began on the C team before earning a spot on varsity as a senior.
His plan was still baseball when he arrived at Corban University. But just a month into college, he was forced to medically retire from the sport.
So he walked onto the golf team.
David would go on to play all four years at Corban, surrounded by a group of teammates who helped shape his development. In fact, four members of that group eventually became PGA golf professionals.
Even then, David's future in the sport was far from certain.
After college, he pursued a career in accounting. When he and Shelby moved to Bend, Oregon, for her job, he struggled to find an accounting position. Eventually, Shelby encouraged him to consider working in golf.
He applied for a position at Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond, Oregon, and heard back almost immediately.
In 2019, he started as a second assistant golf professional, helping run the golf shop, give lessons, and organize junior golf programs.
He returned to the Vancouver-Portland area in 2021 to work at Orchard Hills and earned his PGA membership in April 2024.
A sport he once considered little more than a hobby had become his livelihood.
But later that year, something much more important than golf began demanding his attention.
Something Wasn't Right
Throughout 2024, David began losing weight without trying.
He knew something was wrong, but the cause wasn't immediately clear.
Eventually, doctors discovered a serious ulcer that was interfering with his digestive system and limiting his stomach's ability to empty properly.
David would feel full after eating very little. He dealt with fatigue, acid reflux, and abdominal pain that affected his daily life.
In January 2025, the situation became frightening.
The ulcer began bleeding, and David passed out at home.
Shelby called 911, and he was transported to the hospital by ambulance. He remained hospitalized for approximately a week.
The months that followed brought medications, dietary changes, and repeated attempts to resolve the problem without surgery.
Despite everything, David continued working and playing golf. He even competed in a professional tournament shortly before his scheduled operation.
Eventually, doctors determined surgery was necessary.
The procedure was scheduled for November 2025.
The expectation was that David would spend roughly a week in the hospital and, after several weeks of recovery, return to golf.
It sounded like a temporary interruption to an otherwise normal life.
That changed in the operating room.
One Surgery Became Three
During David's operation, surgeons discovered that part of his intestine had previously perforated and become attached to his pancreas.
Removing the affected tissue was far more complicated than anticipated. A pancreatic specialist had to be brought in from another hospital to assist with the procedure, which required cutting into part of the pancreas.
The surgery lasted approximately eight and a half hours.
Unfortunately, that was only the beginning.
A complication involving leaking pancreatic fluid created additional problems. David required drainage tubes to remove fluid from his abdomen and allow the injured area time to heal.
On December 2, he underwent a second surgery to address the complications and adjust the drains.
On December 6, he underwent a third operation, during which additional drainage equipment and a feeding tube were placed.
What was supposed to be a one-week hospital stay stretched from November 21 through December 19.
Nearly an entire month.
At one point, David had eight tubes coming from his torso.
When he was finally discharged, he was still dealing with multiple drains, a feeding tube to supplement his nutrition, and a wound vacuum attached to a large abdominal incision.
The wound vacuum required him to carry a machine around, even for basic daily activities.
And because he couldn't comfortably lie flat while receiving tube feedings, David spent more than six months sleeping in a recliner or rocking chair.
For someone accustomed to being active, working on his feet, and swinging a golf club, everyday life had changed dramatically.
Even after returning home, there was no guarantee the worst was behind him.
A Season of Waiting
David returned to the hospital in January and February 2026 as doctors continued treating complications, including fluid collections and abscesses.
By April, he was finally beginning to make progress.
But progress didn't mean he was healthy.
In an April 16 update on the family's CaringBridge page, Shelby described their circumstances as a season of waiting.
David was still living with three drains, an active former drain site, and a feeding tube. He was seeing his surgical team weekly, waiting for his pancreas to heal, and trying to regain the weight and strength he'd lost.
There were encouraging signs. He had gained seven pounds in three weeks, and his supplemental tube feedings had been reduced.
But another major surgery remained a real possibility.
By May, doctors were discussing a complex pancreatic operation at Oregon Health & Science University. The procedure, known as a Whipple procedure, would have meant reopening his abdomen and beginning another lengthy recovery.
Yet even during this uncertainty, Shelby noticed something that changed her perspective.
In a May 1 update, she explained that she had been hoping for a miracle in the form of complete healing without another operation. But after speaking with David's surgeon, she began seeing the situation differently.
"The miracle is how strong David is."
He was working approximately 30 hours a week, driving himself, moving around, and regaining strength at a pace that had exceeded his surgeon's expectations.
The family was learning to appreciate progress even when the larger questions remained unanswered.
Then, in July, came an unexpected development.
David's surgeon at Kaiser was surprised by how much his condition had improved over the preceding six weeks.
After consulting with the surgical team at OHSU, the doctors recommended postponing the operation that had been tentatively scheduled for July 21.
There was now a meaningful possibility that David could avoid another surgery altogether.
It was encouraging news, but Shelby was candid about the mixed emotions.
They were grateful, but there was still anxiety. The operation wasn't completely off the table, and postponing it meant continuing to live with uncertainty.
So they waited, prayed, and allowed David's body more time to heal.
Faith Through the Unknown
One of the most meaningful parts of my conversation with David came when I asked him about his faith.
His answer was simple.
"I wouldn't have been able to get through any otherwise."
Throughout the ordeal, faith was a constant source of strength for David and Shelby.
Reading Shelby's updates, that becomes especially clear.
Nearly every entry includes a request for prayer, an expression of gratitude, or a Bible verse reflecting what the family was experiencing.
They prayed for healing, wisdom for David's doctors, patience, physical strength, and emotional well-being.
They also acknowledged the uncertainty and fear that came with each new development.
In July, as the family learned that David might avoid another operation, Shelby wrote about trusting God's timing, even when the outcome remained unclear.
For David, the experience also brought an unexpected opportunity.
Working in the golf industry often meant long hours and busy Sundays, making regular church attendance difficult.
During his recovery, his schedule changed. He was away from work for an extended period and later returned on a limited basis.
That allowed him to attend church more consistently and spend additional Sundays with his family.
David described it as a hidden blessing.
The health complications had taken so much away from his normal routine, yet the time also allowed him to reconnect with something deeply important to him.
His faith didn't eliminate the difficult days or guarantee that everything would go according to plan.
It helped him navigate those days when the path forward was unclear.
The People Behind the Recovery
When I asked David how Shelby and their daughters had handled everything, he didn't hesitate.
"Beyond incredible."
Shelby spent nearly every night with him during his hospitalizations, including almost the entire month following his initial surgery.
Her background as a certified nursing assistant was especially valuable. She understood much of the medical terminology, helped David navigate conversations with his care team, and was comfortable assisting with bandages and other aspects of his recovery at home.
But reading her CaringBridge updates makes it clear that she was carrying a great deal herself.
Along with caring for David and their daughters, she was communicating with doctors, monitoring changes in his condition, managing the uncertainty, and keeping friends and family informed.
There were encouraging days, frustrating days, and days when another setback brought a new wave of concern.
Their parents and in-laws stepped in to help, with family traveling from Austin, Texas, for extended visits.
The Orchard Hills community and fellow golf professionals throughout the Pacific Northwest also rallied around them.
During the initial hospitalization, David and Shelby reluctantly created a GoFundMe campaign to help with medical expenses and financial uncertainty.
They set an initial goal of approximately $8,000, roughly equivalent to David's insurance deductible.
The response was overwhelming.
Through the generosity of the golf community, friends, and others who wanted to help, the family received approximately $26,000.
David spoke about that support with genuine gratitude.
The contributions helped financially, but they also showed the family how many people were standing beside them.
In a September CaringBridge update, Shelby thanked everyone who had prayed, reached out, and kept their family in mind throughout the previous ten months.
Their recovery journey had become something shared by an entire community.
Getting Back to Golf
By June, David was beginning to feel stronger.
He was taking less pain medication, and doctors had cleared him to start hitting golf balls again.
On July 23, another major milestone arrived.
David had his feeding tube and one of his remaining drains removed, leaving him with just one drain.
Shelby shared that he was consistently playing nine- and eighteen-hole rounds, working with a personal trainer, and preparing for upcoming tournaments.
After everything he'd endured, simply being able to play golf regularly again was meaningful.
But the recovery still wasn't finished.
In August, David developed new pain near a previously healed drainage site. His right hip began hurting, and his bandages required increasingly frequent changes.
On August 10, while playing golf, the pain became so severe that he couldn't continue walking the course.
A CT scan revealed another fluid collection.
By August 12, he was struggling to walk comfortably and was exhausted from lack of sleep. His medical team admitted him for pain management and intravenous antibiotics.
The following morning, a new bruise appeared near the old drain site.
It was another abscess.
A bedside procedure helped relieve the pressure, and David was discharged on August 14.
It was another reminder that recovery wasn't happening in a straight line.
But he kept moving forward.
David had returned to competitive golf on July 31, even while still managing several tubes.
After the August setback, he continued preparing for September's tournaments.
And then came the performance that made his comeback especially remarkable.
Thirteen Under Par
On September 15–17, David competed in the Pacific Northwest PGA Professional Championship at Astoria Golf & Country Club.
Seven qualifying spots were available for the 2027 PGA Professional Championship, with three players in the field already exempt.
David entered the tournament knowing what an opportunity it represented.
He also knew what he'd been through just to stand on the first tee.
Over the course of the championship, he played outstanding golf, finishing at 13 under par after making four birdies in his final round.
That performance placed him sixth among the players competing for the available qualifying positions.
He had qualified.
Only months after doctors were preparing him for another major operation, David had earned a place in one of the most important tournaments of his professional career.
And he did it while his recovery was still ongoing.
The following week, he continued his strong play, shooting seven under par to win a pro-am at Heron Lakes.
In a four-round stretch, David recorded scores of three under, four under, six under, and seven under par.
But there was one final medical milestone still ahead.
One Last Drain
On September 20, Shelby shared another update.
David was preparing for a procedure to remove his final drain on September 22.
It was the most critical of the eight tubes he'd dealt with throughout his recovery because it had originally been positioned near the site of the pancreatic injury.
Unfortunately, the drain had created an additional complication by eroding into his colon.
Removing it would require repairing a small opening.
Even after everything David had accomplished on the golf course, the family was once again asking for prayers.
The procedure went well.
In her September 25 update, Shelby reported that doctors were moderately confident they had achieved a complete repair.
David passed two tests checking for leaks, and his surgeon was pleased with how the wound appeared.
There was still healing to be done, and the family remained cautiously optimistic.
But there was also another encouraging detail.
David had regained nearly 25 pounds from his lowest documented weight.
After months of uncertainty, multiple hospital stays, surgeries, and a recovery that repeatedly tested his patience, the final drain was gone.
And for the first time in a long time, life was beginning to resemble something closer to normal.
More Than a Tournament
Next April, David will travel to Streamsong Resort in Florida for the PGA Professional Championship.
The tournament offers an opportunity to advance to the PGA Championship, one of the biggest events in men's professional golf.
For David, it's a chance to compete on a national stage and potentially fulfill a childhood dream of appearing on television as an athlete.
But the irony isn't lost on him.
Growing up, David imagined that if he ever reached that level, it would be through baseball.
Golf wasn't part of that picture.
He never planned on medically retiring from baseball in college. He didn't originally intend to become a golf professional. And he certainly never imagined the health challenges that would interrupt his career and reshape his perspective.
Yet all those experiences are part of the journey that brought him here.
When he tees it up in Florida, he'll be competing as a PGA professional.
But he'll also be there as a husband, a father, and someone who knows firsthand how quickly life can change.
The tournament result will matter.
But it won't define everything it took for him to get there.
Everyone Has a Story
I finish every interview by asking the same question:
What does "Everyone Has a Story" mean to you?
David's answer was a fitting conclusion to our conversation.
He spoke about how people tend to envision life as a checklist or a straight line between two points. We imagine our dreams, map out how we'll accomplish them, and expect things to unfold accordingly.
But David has learned that life rarely follows such a predictable path.
"God's plan almost never is that simple, and certainly not the case for me."
He reflected on his childhood dreams of playing baseball, the unexpected opportunity to play golf in college, and the career he eventually built around a sport he never imagined pursuing professionally.
Now, after everything he and his family have endured, he has a chance to compete on a stage he once only dreamed of reaching.
His journey has been filled with unexpected turns, some exciting and others incredibly difficult.
Yet through the surgeries, setbacks, waiting, and uncertainty, David has continued moving forward, supported by the people and beliefs that matter most to him.
As I listened to David reflect on his experiences, I kept coming back to something that extends well beyond golf.
We often see people at their best moments. We see the accomplishments, the celebrations, the victories, and the milestones.
What we don't always see is everything it took to reach them.
We don't see the hospital rooms, the sleepless nights, the worried family members, the prayers, or the countless small steps that eventually become progress.
For David Patterson, qualifying for the PGA Professional Championship was an incredible accomplishment.
But the more meaningful part of his story may be what happened long before he made those final birdies.
It was the strength he found in his faith, the unwavering support of Shelby and their family, the generosity of his community, and his determination to keep going even when the next step was uncertain.
David's story is a reminder that the path we envision isn't always the one we take.
Sometimes life leads us somewhere entirely unexpected.
And sometimes, after everything we've been through, we discover just how much the journey has changed us.
Everyone has a story. This is David's.
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Dave,
Thanks for your time! Your story is very inspiring and definitely is what that speaks volumes of not giving up.
Blessings to you, Shelby, and the girls.
Good luck in Florida, my friend.
Chase