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Shelburne pro–golfer raises money for kids with diabetes




The Canadian Diabetes Association hosts summer camps specifically for kids living with Diabetes. These camps may be the one place on the planet where kids with Diabetes never feel alienated, shy, sad about their health situation and thrive in a stress free environment learning more about their health and just having fun.

Local Professional Golfer, David Markle is doing what he can to raise awareness and money for kids with diabetes to be able to attend these D-Camps and for a very special reason, in his opinion, he is the luckiest man alive and because of that, he wants to give back.

When Markle was 25, he was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes and the diagnosis changed his life forever. Some might agree that the way Markle discovered his health issue was a miracle of sorts resulting in a series of circumstances coming together that ultimately saved Markle's life.

“I was on tour, and I felt horrible, tired, no energy and I called my friend in the hopes he could help caddy for me, that's how tired I was. I didn't think I could finish. I had been drinking a lot of water every night, and still was waking to dry mouth, lost 15 pounds in a couple of months, and I was exhausted. I ended up staying at my friend Drew Hanzel's house in Savannah. Drew's Dad, Doug Hanzel, is the best senior golfer in the U.S. and he's a doctor who happens to have Diabetes, and Drew's mother, Nancy is a Nurse. Concerned, when they saw me, Doug and Nancy checked my blood and it was six times higher than it should be. I didn't even know really what Diabetes was, but that's how I found out,” explained Markle. “Doug saw the results and said, you have Diabetes. I owe Doug and Nancy Hanzel the world of thanks.”

To add some perspective to Markle's good fortune, had he not called his friend, happened to be diagnosed by a doctor, Markle could have met with a far more undesirable fate. Upon returning home, Headwaters was key in support of Markle learning about his new life situation.

“When I was 19, I guess you could call me a golf geek,” Markle who has been golfing since he was 9 years old under Sam Young's junior program, reflected, “The idea of making it onto the PGA tour made me see the power athletes can have to raise money and awareness. I realized this is how I can maximize connections with golf and Diabetes to make the greatest impact.”

For Markle, born and raised in Shelburne, his diagnosis opened his eyes and his heart to a new world, a world in need and he wants to give back any way he can especially setting an example as a professional golfer.

“When people say ‘good luck' to me when I'm golfing I always say to myself, my good luck is taken care of already. I come from a place that's great, I live in a country where food is ample, I get to travel, see the world around me, experience the culture. I can't imagine being the only kid in my class with diabetes, it must be so hard. My message to kids with Diabetes is simple; you have choices, you can't always choose what happens to you but you can choose to sit and ask why me or get moving! You can make life easy for yourself, you can make life hard on yourself, why not make great progress and meet great people along the way?”

Markle admits he is a product of his environment as his family is very supportive of him, and he's had great sponsors who have believed in him along the way. Being born and raised in Shelburne, a hard working town, Markle is grateful for his life commenting, “Everytime I come home, I get an appreciation of Shelburne.”

Markle's strict regimen of four needles a day and 6-8 times a day checking blood sugar levels means Markle uses 60-80 blood test strips a month. “There is a serious lack of funding for Diabetes research. Three and half million Canadians have Diabetes, and the numbers keep going up,” Markle observed and wants to make an even bigger difference in the future hoping to help get diabetic supplies to everyone in the world who needs it.

Meanwhile, Markle wants to help every kid with Diabetes who wants to attend D Camp to be able to. With the help of sponsors, Scotiabank is presenting Dufferin ‘DiabeTees' Day of Champions and Markle couldn't be more pleased. On Monday, July 28th, the Shelburne Golf and Country Club is the place to be if you want to help Markle in his heartfelt support of kids with Diabetes needing to go to a summer camp.

Markle's success as a golfer is easily summed up by the compassionate, successful young man, “I am so grateful to be golfing, and hopefully one day I will make it to the PGA, but the bigger picture Diabetes has shown me is that a guy can have all the fame, and money in the world, but have what have you got really, if you are not reaching out, making those connections that ultimately helping people while on your journey? D-Camps are great and I really want to help these kids.”

For a special treat, golf with NHL's Aaron Downey, Dale Hawerchuk, Darryl Sittler, Nick Moutrey, Warren Young and more! Contact, Markle, Type- I Diabetic , Professional Golfer and Ambassador for the Canadian Diabetes Association at davidjmarkle@gmail.com or call 330-931-2744.

For more information, contact the Shelburne Country Golf Club located at 516423 County Rd. 124 call, 519 925-5581.

By Alex Sher
Post date: 2014-06-04 16:11:23
Post date GMT: 2014-06-04 20:11:23
Post modified date: 2014-06-11 14:46:04
Post modified date GMT: 2014-06-11 18:46:04
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