Par Rich

College: Mississippi State University - Fall, 2026

His CDH Story: Par Rich has never viewed Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia as something that held him back. Instead, it has served as a constant reminder to make the most of every opportunity he's been given.

Born with CDH, Par understands that many children with the diagnosis never have the chance to experience the life he enjoys today. That perspective has shaped the way he approaches every challenge—with gratitude, determination, and an appreciation for the people who supported him from the very beginning. While his medical journey began before he could remember it, the lessons it taught him have stayed with him throughout his life. Rather than asking why he faced obstacles, Par has always focused on what he could do with the opportunities he was given.

For Par, that mindset became most evident on the golf course. Smaller than many of his peers, he repeatedly found himself competing against players who seemed to have every physical advantage. He made his middle school team, only to lose his beloved coach unexpectedly before the following season. He then failed to make his high school team not once, but twice. Instead of walking away from the sport he loved, Par continued practicing, improving, and believing that persistence would eventually pay off. As a junior, he earned his place on one of Alabama's most competitive high school golf teams, and by his senior year had become an individual tournament champion. Looking back, Par sees a direct connection between the uncertainty his parents faced after his CDH diagnosis and the uncertainty he faced pursuing his goals. In both cases, success was never guaranteed—but hope, perseverance, and faith carried the journey forward.

Hobbies and Interests: Golf is much more than a game for Par—it's where he has learned some of life's greatest lessons about resilience, humility, and character. Whether mentoring younger golfers through the Junior Dogfight Mentor Program or competing on the Mountain Brook High School Varsity Golf Team, he approaches the sport with quiet determination and an unwavering work ethic. Coaches describe him as someone who inspires others not through words, but through consistency, grit, and perseverance.

Outside of golf, Par is deeply committed to serving his community. An Eagle Scout, he led the planning and construction of educational garden planters for a local school as his Eagle project. He has volunteered for several summers with United Ability, working alongside children with disabilities, mentored younger students, served as a peer helper for special needs classmates, and even co-founded a neighborhood trash service to assist senior residents. Whether on the golf course or in his community, Par believes success is measured not only by personal achievement, but by the positive impact he leaves on others.

Professional Aspirations: This fall, Par will attend Mississippi State University, where he has been accepted into the prestigious PGA Golf Management Program. Combining his lifelong passion for golf with professional training, he hopes to build a career within the golf industry while continuing to use his personal story to inspire others facing difficult circumstances.

Par has already discovered the power of sharing his journey. As a child, he watched his own story provide hope to expectant parents whose babies had recently been diagnosed with CDH. More recently, he has spoken at pregnancy resource centers, encouraging families to choose hope even when the road ahead feels uncertain. Looking toward the future, he hopes to continue advocating for the CDH community through storytelling, volunteerism, and involvement with the Fore Hadley Foundation. He also looks forward to one day participating in the Fore Hadley Golf Classic—not simply as a golfer, but as someone who can help grow the event, raise awareness, and give back to the community that has inspired him throughout his life. For Par, every opportunity is a chance to prove that hope, perseverance, and faith can create possibilities far greater than any diagnosis ever could.