Damon Smith has come a long way on the road to recovery from alcohol and substance abuse.

For more than two decades, the Mid Ocean Club golfer was a prisoner of his addiction, which also led to incarceration for committing a criminal offence.

However, he never gave up hope of a better life throughout his ordeal and, armed with a strong faith in God, conjured the courage and strength to face his demons head-on.

“I had some criminal convictions and over a course of twenty-something years I had a serious drug addiction, but I made a decision and never gave up hope,” Smith told The Royal Gazette.

“I always had this belief it was never going to be me, and I was just resilient to keep pressing on regardless. I just never gave up.”

Through his own struggles, Smith has become a beacon of hope for others afflicted with the disease of addiction.

“I want to let people know that recovery is possible,” he said.

“You can do anything that you put your mind to, and that it’s possible even after a struggle no matter what situation you are in. If you make that effort and put in the work, you can get the results.”

Smith is adamant that it is “vitally important” to acknowledge his past struggles, which have helped to mould him into the responsible and productive member of the community he has become.

“I'm not proud of what I’ve done, but it’s made me who I am today,” he said.

“It’s made me come to terms with my reality and it’s woken me up to realities of life and living life clean, which comes with being responsible and a productive member of society and not a nuisance.”

Smith is forever grateful for the support he has received from many, including employer Mid Ocean Club, which has aided him on the road to recovery over the past 3½ years.

“After my rehabilitation, Mid Ocean hired me back again and gave me an opportunity to get my life on track,” he said.

The 49-year-old has also made considerable strides on the golf course and achieved another career milestone when he secured professional status after meeting the standard competing in the Johnnie Walker Classic at Ocean View Golf Course last weekend.

“I have been going for my professional card for the last three years and successfully met the requirements in my attempt at the Johnnie Walker Classic,” he said.

“This is a big thing for me because my journey has been tough through incarceration and stuff. This really means a lot to me.

“I don’t need the validation because I am doing what I need to do, and my No 1 priority is staying clean. Outside of that, any other accomplishments that come just speak to the testament that I am doing the right things today, so I am moving forward with my life.”

Smith was not the only player securing professional status at last weekend’s tournament, as Mark Phillips also achieved the feat.

Phillips, 36, is equally as delighted to have finally secured official professional status.

“It's a good feeling to be part of the Bermuda Professional Golfers Association and to be able to enjoy some of their events and things that have going on within the island,” he said.

“I turned professional a while back but never did the official BPGA certificate, so it's really nice to be part of that.”

Steven Lambert Jr, the BPGA president, welcomed the association’s newest members into the fold with open arms.

“On the behalf of the BPGA, I would like to congratulate Damon Smith and Mark Phillips on passing their player eligibility test at the Johnnie Walker Classic over the two days,” he said.

“Damon has been trying for a while and I am proud of him. He actually made a high score on the 1st hole, and stuck it out and passed.

“Mark was well inside the allotted score over the two days and we are also very proud of him.

“We wish both of them much success going forward in future tournaments, and it's good to have two new members that are very upstanding citizens in the golf community and good golfers joining us in the 2025-26 season.”