Upon passing his citizenship exam, David Dore-Smith did not give much thought to the actual swearing-in process that would take place the following week, completing his quest to become a U.S. citizen. After all, Dore-Smith, an Australian by birth, already had been in the United States for nearly two decades.
As the event drew closer, however, he thought more about what being a citizen in the United States actually meant and how lucky he was."I was dismissive of it until a couple of days beforehand," said Dore-Smith, who has spent the past 13 years as golf course superintendent at Copperleaf Golf Club in Bonita Springs, Florida, located between Fort Myers and Naples. "So many people contacted me and told me it was an amazing experience. That's when I decided to invite my family to be part of it."
So, on the morning of Aug. 30, David Dore-Smith, wife Christine, daughter Brooke, son Brady and Christine's parents and made the 150-mile drive north to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services building in Tampa where he and 50 others officially were sworn in as U.S. citizens.
"When you have your hand on your heart and go through the oath, it grabs you," Dore-Smith said. "You think about how many people around the world want to be in that situation. I think I'd taken for granted how fortunate I've been."
Immigrants must be a permanent resident of the U.S. for five years before they can apply for citizenship. From there, the application process takes about three months to complete. Applicants must pass a written civics exam and prove they can read, write and comprehend English.
When you have your hand on your heart and go through the oath, it grabs you. You think about how many people around the world want to be in that situation. I think I'd taken for granted how fortunate I've been."
For Dore-Smith, motivation came largely in the form of current events.
"I want to be able to vote and make a difference," Dore-Smith said. "There is nothing worse than sitting back and doing nothing about what is going on. I've been paying my taxes and social security, and now, I am eligible to sit on a jury and take part in elections."
Dore-Smith came to the United States 19 years ago from his native Melbourne, where he was studying turf management at the Holmesglen Institute. He was part of a group of a dozen Australian greenkeepers headed to the United States to continue their education through the Ohio State International Program. Also aboard that flight was Matt Tacilauskas, now superintendent at Palm Beach Country Club, just across the Intracoastal Waterway from downtown West Palm Beach. That was the first time the two had met, but they have been fast friends ever since.
Knowing that Dore-Smith has successfully completed the process of becoming a U.S. citizen has helped to motivate others, including Tacilauskas.
"Yes, I certainly want to become a U.S. citizen," Tacilauskas said. "I have been studying for the test for some time, but I just can't find the time to do it. He has certainly motivated me to get it done."
Although he is now an American citizen - though one could never tell from listening to him speak - Dore-Smith said he will always be an Australian.
"I've been afforded some amazing opportunities here. I advanced quickly and was a head superintendent when I was 27," Dore-Smith said. "I've made some great friends, and I've never been homesick once. But, I'll always be an Australian. The judge who swore us in was an immigrant, and he told us never to forget our heritage. To this day, I teach my kids who they are and where they come from. It's very poignant."