ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, September 25, 1996 TAG: 9609250066
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KEITH POMPEY STAFF WRITER
THE PGA TOUR REGULAR, playing in the Tee Off For Sight tournament, keeps things in perspective after overcoming Bell's palsy.
The 15th annual Tee Off For Sight golf tournament couldn't have had a better guest.
It wasn't because D.A. Weibring gave competitors tips Tuesday at Hunting Hills County Club. Or that he gave the media information about fellow PGA Tour player Tiger Woods.
The Texas resident was great because, after battling back from Bell's palsy, he knows the importance of health issues. And all the proceeds from the tournament went to Prevent Blindness for Virginia.
``I never lost my eyesight, but I certainly lost a lot of my orientation and balance in my eyes,'' said the five-time winner on the tour. ``I had to wear sunglasses even when I was inside. When I went to try to hit golf balls, I knew the ground was down there somewhere, but I didn't quite know where it was. That really gave me respect for things that we normally take for granted, and I think that is probably the theme here. So I'm happy to be here to help with the charity.''
Watching Weibring laugh, it was hard to image he was unable to smile seven months earlier.
The right side of his face became paralyzed and swollen to the point where his right ear barely was visible. The 43-year-old couldn't even close the eye.
``The first week that happened, I thought I was having a stroke,'' Weibring said. ``It was frustrating to have that feeling of going paralyzed. To not be able to wiggle your nose or move your lip, I can vouch for that.''
Upon learning about the virus, Weibring stopped being frustrated and started counting his blessings.
He realized he had many of the things people dream of having. Like playing 19 years on the PGA Tour. Like having a lovely wife, Kristy. And like having three great children: Matt, 17; Katey, 14; and Allison, 9.
For 21/2 months, Weibring wondered if he ever would compete again. It was hard enough to sleep, let alone play 54 holes of golf.
But he was motivated to get back onto the tour by his children and peers.
``They kept telling me that they wanted me to come back and play,'' he said. ``That was my inspiration.''
And when he did return to the tour in June, Weibring had to pick and choose his tournament. He lacked the energy to compete every week.
``It seems like when I get fatigued and tired is when I still have the problem with the right side of my face getting swollen,'' He said. ``So I have to maintain my rest.''
His rest paid off June 30. Competing in only his second tournament since the virus, Weibring won the Greater Hartford Open. With the victory, he's ranked 38th on this year's money list with $433,695.
That victory ``was really amazing,'' he said of his fifth PGA title. ``I felt maybe I should have won more events, but not the Hartford after as sick as I was.
``But I was very patient with myself. I was determined to enjoy the good shots and forget about the bad ones. If I was determined to focus on what I was going during that weekend, I would have never won the golf tournament.''
That's one of the things that made Weibring's visit to Roanoke memorable - for the player and the fans.
``This is the nicest guy there could be,'' said Brandon LaCroix, a local high school star. ``He's just a genuinely nice guy. He's not like some of the other pros who want to keep to themselves. He wants to help everyone.''
During the champion of champions tournament held in conjunction with Weibring's clinic, the Gordon C. Willis Cup went to Roanoke Country Club champion Jake Allison.
Allison, the defending champ, shot a 2-under-par 68. Hanging Rock's Bill Burton and Hidden Valley's Barry Graham were three shots back.
LENGTH: Medium: 73 linesby CNB