SANTA ANA : He’s Found a Niche on the Fairway

Travis Jokumsen first picked up golf clubs at age 4 and was on a course teeing off by the time he was 6.

Now 11, Travis has played in many junior golf tournaments and has competed several times in an adult/child tournament in Lake Tahoe with his uncle, taking first and third place in past events.

Next week, Travis will be playing in his first adult tournament, a benefit for Taft Hearing-Impaired School in Santa Ana, where he attends fifth grade. Deaf since birth, Travis will be the only student from the school playing in the tournament, and most likely the only youngster.

“A lot of times our kids don’t get involved in activities like this,” said Darlene Hopkins, a speech pathologist at Taft. “It’s difficult for some of the children to play soccer because they need someone to interpret. It’s nice that Travis has found a niche where he can excel athletically.”

Travis’ mother, Tami Garcia, said Travis also plays soccer in a youth league, and Santa Ana city league baseball and basketball. Although she once acted as an interpreter for Travis when he was playing team sports, Garcia said it is rarely necessary now.

“He’s just learned to watch the coach. He’ll be playing, and other kids don’t even know he is deaf,” she said.

Although golf is the only sport Travis plays in which hearing is not necessary, he said it is the most difficult “because the ball goes in the water.”

A lean youngster with a crew cut who bites his lip in concentration as he prepares to putt, Travis devotes a great deal of time to golf. He goes to a driving range at least four times a week and plays every weekend in Palm Desert with the Desert Jr. Golf Assn. or with his grandparents, who introduced him to the sport.

When he began golfing, his scores were in the 100s, but it did not take him long to catch on, Garcia said. He can now hit drives up to 150 yards and averages 75 on a par 3 course.

“Most of the pros who have worked with him say he’s a natural,” Garcia said. Travis hopes to play on a high school team and possibly become a professional.

The golf tournament, sponsored by Trader Magazines of Orange County, will be at the Tustin Ranch Golf Club. The $150 green fee includes a continental breakfast, prizes, tee gifts, an awards luncheon and contest entrance.

“It’s been very exciting doing this tournament,” said Jan Eisman of Trader Magazines, which began a partnership with the school last year. “And finding out about Travis playing has added even more excitement.”

All proceeds from the tournament will benefit Taft Hearing-Impaired School, which serves more than 100 students from age 18 months to 12 years from eight school districts in the county. The money will be used to buy computer programs, equipment, toys for preschoolers and other items.

For information about the tournament, call Jan Eisman at (714) 261-1150, Ext. 3019.