David Toms built a lasting professional golf career anchored by a remarkably stable personal life. While many elite athletes face turbulence at home, his marriage to Sonya Jones stands out as a steady partnership spanning decades.
Balancing life on the PGA Tour requires intense travel, high stress, and constant performance pressure. For David and Sonya, navigating these demands meant building a unified family base in Shreveport, Louisiana, shielding their children from the constant glare of professional sports media while remaining active in community philanthropy.
Building a Foundation in Louisiana
Long before major championship trophies and international team appearances, David Toms established deep roots in Louisiana. Born in Monroe and later attending Louisiana State University, his early career involved grinding through the developmental circuits before breaking through on the PGA Tour.
Sonya, also a Louisiana native who graduated from LSU-Shreveport, met David during their formative years in the state. Their shared regional background helped anchor their household when golf took them across the globe. When professional athletes travel thirty weeks out of the year, home life often fractures. The couple chose a different path, keeping their primary residence in Shreveport so their children could grow up in a stable, community-oriented environment rather than out of hotel suitcases.
Raising a Family on and off the Course
David and Sonya share two children: a son, Carter, and a daughter, Anna. Raising children under the spotlight of professional sports presents unique hurdles, but the family maintained a low profile compared to many modern sports households.
Athletic dedication clearly runs in the family. Carter Toms followed his father's footsteps into competitive golf, eventually signing to play collegiate golf at Louisiana State University. Watching a child replicate a parent's collegiate path requires immense support from both partners. Sonya managed household logistics during David's playing days, ensuring that the children experienced a balanced upbringing with traditional routines despite tournament schedules.
Philanthropy and Shared Purpose
A major part of the couple's long-term partnership involves giving back through the David Toms Foundation. Established in 2003, the organization focuses heavily on helping underprivileged, abused, or abandoned children, as well as supporting youth programs in Louisiana.
- Community Outreach: The foundation funds various local initiatives to improve self-esteem and educational opportunities for at-risk youth.
- Disaster Relief: Following Hurricane Katrina, the foundation mobilized quickly, raising over $1.5 million to assist displaced families.
- Joint Leadership: Sonya actively directs and manages foundation operations alongside David, turning a shared vision into a long-standing philanthropic engine.
This collaborative venture gave them a unified mission away from golf leaderboards. Working together on charitable projects helped insulate their relationship from the intense isolation that touring professional athletes often experience.
Navigating Career Turbulence and Health Scares
No long-term marriage escapes hardship. Professional sports careers bring sudden injuries, slumps, and health crises. In 2005, David underwent heart surgery with catheter ablation to correct a rapid heartbeat condition. Health scares of this nature alter perspective quickly, shifting focus away from golf scores and toward family stability.
Throughout physical setbacks and the inevitable decline from the grueling physical demands of the main PGA Tour to the PGA Tour Champions, the partnership remained a steady constant. Receiving honors like the prestigious Payne Stewart Award in 2011—which recognizes character, sportsmanship, and charity—reflected not just David's individual conduct, but the shared values of his family unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did David and Sonya get married?
David and Sonya have been married for decades, establishing their family before David secured his major championship victories in the early 2000s.
How many children do David and Sonya have?
They have two children: a son named Carter and a daughter named Anna.
Did their children pursue sports?
Yes. Carter Toms played competitive junior golf and went on to play collegiate golf at Louisiana State University, continuing the family's athletic tradition.
What is the David Toms Foundation?
Started in 2003, the foundation is a charitable organization run by David and Sonya that supports underprivileged youth programs and disaster relief efforts in Louisiana.
