A journey like no other, D.J.'s adventure comes to a close

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D.J. Gregory walks up the 18th hole on Sunday at the Children's Miracle Network Classic. The walk brought his year-to-date total to 3,256 holes.

D.J. Gregory, a 30-year-old native of Savannah, Ga., did not spend much time at home in 2008. Beginning in January with the first round of the first PGA TOUR event of the year, the Mercedes-Benz Championship, Gregory began a walk that surpassed everyone's expectations -- except his own.

Special to PGATOUR.COM

Last week, D.J. walked with Troy Matteson.

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Video: End of the road
D.J.'s year-long blog

Despite being born with Cerebral Palsy, the goal was simple -- to walk every hole of every PGA TOUR event, spanning 44 weeks. His journey ended when the final putt of PGA TOUR professional Jason Gore dropped at this week's Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Gregory's passion for the game of golf led him to submit a proposal to PGA TOUR Commissioner, Tim Finchem, with his desire walk every hole on the 2008 PGA TOUR calendar as a way to inspire and encourage others to follow their dreams.

Gregory was paired with a different player to follow each week, and he chronicled his experiences with that player in a weekly blog for PGATOUR.COM. Beginning with Boo Weekley at the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship, Gregory's journey concluded this week with Gore.

"It's amazing," said Weekley. "(He) is amazing, very amazing. The Lord blessed (him), and blessed everybody he has walked with every step. He's awesome, very awesome."

"It was a great honor for him to pick me this week," said Jason Gore, with whom D.J. walked in his final event Sunday. "It was a very emotional week for him, but he is a wonderful story and an inspiration to us all. I am very proud to call him a friend."

As part of his weekly walks, which will have totaled nearly 1,000 miles after this week's season-ending Children's Miracle Network Classic, Gregory kept track of everything from his number of falls (29 to date) to the number of holes he has walked (3,184 to date).

Told by doctors he would never walk, Gregory initially got around by sliding with the use of his arms. As he grew, he gained the ability to walk with two canes, and then one. That one cane has been at his side for each step he has logged on the PGA TOUR in 2008

"This year has truly been a dream come true for me," Gregory said. "For the PGA TOUR to have given me the chance to live this dream of walking every hole of every week's tournament is incredible. From this, I just want people to know that if they have a dream, they need to chase it and never take no for an answer."

Gregory began the year off in Maui following Boo Weekley at the Mercedes-Benz Championship. Among the players he followed throughout the year were Zach Johnson (Wachovia Championship), Jim Furyk (Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial), Kenny Perry (Arnold Palmer Invitational), and 2008 Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart champion, Davis Love III (Wyndham Championship).