Dakota Dowd Tees It Up In the Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open

From HappyNews.com -- Dakota Dowd is only 13 years old, and she just played in her first LPGA professional golf tournament. She competed against Annika Sorenstam, Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis and all of the other LPGA superstars. Besides her age, why is this such a big deal?

Because Dakota was playing in honor of her mother who is terminally ill with cancer in her liver and hip. Here is an excerpt from the article:

"The chip stopped 2 feet from the hole, and Kelly Jo Dowd couldn't contain her excitement. For a second, dark reality, terminal cancer in her hip and liver, was forgotten, replaced by the thrill of seeing her 13-year-old golf phenom daughter compete against the best players in the world.

"How good is this?" she asked as the name Dakoda Dowd, who made the short putt to birdie her very first hole, appeared on an LPGA leaderboard for the first time.

Dakoda made her long-awaited LPGA debut Thursday, shooting a 2-over 74 in the first round of the Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open outside of Orlando. Tournament officials extended Dakoda the invitation after hearing of Kelly Jo's illness, and her wish that death wouldn't cheat her out of seeing this day."

Dakota shot an 82 today to miss the cut in the tournament. But, that doesn't matter at all. The joy that was on her mother's face while she was watching Dakota compete was priceless. Kudo's also go out to the tournament for offering Dakota a sponsor's exemption to play.

To read the complete article, please go to HappyNews.com.

Good luck today and make it a great day!

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