b'Last week, we had 30 young adults Tee Time in Tonga from Papua New Guinea come and they had never been to a dentist, they only have one or two changes of clothing, How golf found Karen Darringtonthey dont have showers in their homes, wheresheleastexpectedit by Shane Ren Darrington said. We made a partial denture for a girl, because she didnt have any front teeth, and she just started A fter Karen Darrington stumbled intomember of the Idaho Golf Hall of Famecryingshe just couldnt believe it. Shes golf as a freshman at Brigham Youngto hold a season pass at a golf coursegot teeth now. She can smile. University, happily shrugging at anthat routinely uses rakes and rebar forTaken by how little this girl had, invitation to try out for the womens golfflagsticks. Cups are changed just a coupleDarrington invited her into her home team, the life in the game ahead of hertimes each year. There is no irrigation.and gave her some clothes out of her might have read like a fairy tale.She paid $65 for the season. own closet. The girl, she said, was Then, in 2023, Idahos mostBut Darrington, of Boise, isnt on aoverwhelmed by the gifts.decorated amateur golfer left her clubsgolf vacation. She went to the KingdomI have so many blessings, she said.behind to spend 18 months on the otherof Tonga, a series of 170 islands dueWhat are your blessings? side of the world.east of Australia, to serve a mission forDarrington asked.I didnt even check to see if they hadthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- My mother bought me this suitcase a golf course, she said. Then when weDay Saints, emerging from a two-yearso I could come over here.got here, driving away from the airport,retirement to work as a dental hygienist.Darrington says she told her we drove right by it. She says shes the first hygienist thehusband, Phil, that she wanted to do Tonga Golf Club has beenisland has ever had. And her clinic servessomething humanitarian when they Darringtons home course for more thanpeople from other South Pacific islands,began looking into mission opportunities a year now, making her the only livingwhere healthcare is a luxury.almost two years ago. After a phone call with a friend who had connections with a couple schools with dental clinics in Tonga and Samoa, they seemed to be circling a perfect opportunity. It would mean that she would be inducted in absentia with the inaugural class into the Idaho Golf Hall of Fame, but she felt she had to go. Karen is God sent! said Maggie and Finau Puloka, who moved back to the Island from Seattle three years ago and recently started a junior golf program. She was here when we started the golf program for the kids, and helped in everything we needed. Karen not only coached, mentored, and provided snacks, she also gave them health tips. Finau was one of the first people Darrington played with at Tonga Golf Club, along with his friend, Neil Armstrong Along with giving dental health check-ups to the kids in her role as a hygienist, Darrington also provided coaching, mentoring, and snacks during their golf clinics.20 PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOLFER|MAR 2025'