Golfing For Their Mothers' Cause

Dakoda Dowd and Madison Pressel are two of America's top young women golfers hope to make a living playing the game they love.

Their fathers watch every stroke.

Their mothers are their inspiration.

Dakoda Dowd, Golfer:
"She's very aggressive, just like me, and she's very strong. A lot of women are."

Madison Pressel, Golfer:
"She never gave up and I think I got that quality from her. She never complained."

Fourteen-year-old Madison Pressel's mother, Kathy Krickstien Pressel, was once a tennis pro in Tampa.

Madison Pressel, Golfer:
"She's very pretty, gorgeous person."

Kathy died two years ago of breast cancer.

Madison Pressel, Golfer:
"I think about her a lot, because I always wish that she could be there."

And at this youth tournament, Madison can act as mentor, friend, even big sister to 12-year-old Dakoda Dowd, whose mother is fighting advanced breast cancer.

Madison Pressel, Golfer:
"You never really know what is going to happen so you have to expect the unexpected. Like my mom, got rid of it and it came back."

Dakoda Dowd, Golfer:
"There's a bunch of women that are going through it, so it's just, support it the best we can, prevent it."

The girls carry reminders of their mothers and their cause on their visors as they play.

They think of them with every shot.

Dakoda Dowd, Golfer:
"She's a big inspiration, I'm happy to have her around with me."

Madison Pressel, Golfer:
"I just wish she was here, and that kind of gives me strength because I play for her."

If Madison and Dakoda make their living as golf pros in the future, their fathers will be proud.

Their mothers will fuel their competitive spirits.

Largo Man: I'm Not Trying To Shake Down A 12-Year-Old Girl

You may not have heard of Dakoda Dowd yet, but you will soon -- when she makes her professional golfing debut in April at only 12 years old. Through a special exemption, she'll play in her first LPGA tournament in order to fulfill her dying mother's last wish.

"I've been diagnosed with breast cancer, which has now spread to bone cancer and liver cancer. But my main goal is to spend every day together and let it be as positive as possible," Kelly Jo Dowd explained.

With the help of the Ginn Company, the organization that's sponsoring Dakoda in the tournament, the family wanted to set up a website to help fund breast cancer research in Kelly Jo's honor.

But to their surprise, the domain name DakodaDowd.com was already purchased by a Largo man named Shawn Jackman, who told Action News on Wednesday that he wanted it to be a gift to boost the young golfer's spirits.

"My father is dying of pancreatic cancer, and when I read the first article about Dakoda, it touched my heart. I guess the purchase of the URL was more of an emotional purchase; definitely not a business purchase," he said.

But so far, Jackman has yet to give the website back to the family. The reason? Jackman says when the story was first reported, his name was dragged through the mud in newspaper columns and articles.

Now, in order for the family to get the website back, Jackman is demanding an apology from the Orlando Sentinel.

"My intentions were to give it to Dakoda from the beginning. They haven't changed," he said, insisting that he was not holding the domain name as ransom. "Unfortunately, the Ginn Company got involved with exemptions and media got involved. And two writers who had no contact with me decided to write stories. What I guess I'm doing is I'm holding the media responsible for their actions."

Jackman's unofficial site uses Dakoda's name and picture. But Dakoda's father Mike told Action News that Jackman doesn't have the right to use his daughter's name, and he had a message for him.

"[He should] relinquish the name with no parameters, no considerations," Mike Dowd said. "Just say, 'You know what, this is her name and she can do what she wants with it. I made a mistake and I'll be man enough to admit it.' That's what I have."

Jackman purchased DakodaDowd.com for $35. At one point, he said he would sell it to the Ginn Company for $5,000, but now Jackman says he'll give it the family for free if he gets his apology.

The family, meanwhile, is weighing legal action against Jackman.

Shawn Jackman complained about two Orlando Sentinel articles, including a column by David Whitley that compared Jackman to Ebenezer Scrooge.

"People have been speculatively grabbing domain names for years. It's one thing to grab Beer.com to get a big check from Anheuser-Busch. It's another to register DakodaDowd.com in hopes of shaking down a 12-year-old whose mother is dying of cancer."

-David Whitley, 12/15/05

Golfing Phenom's Name Hijacked In Cyberspace

Tuesday's junior golf tournament in Palm Harbor was good practice for 12-year-old Dakoda Dowd, who's just a few months away from her professional golfing debut. Dakoda was granted special permission to play with the pros in April in order to fulfill her mother's dying wish.

"I've been diagnosed with breast cancer, which has spread to bone cancer and liver cancer. But my main goal is to spend every day together and let it be as positive as possible," explained Dakoda's mother, Kelly Jo Dowd.

With Dakoda's rising fame, the family was hoping to set up a website at DakodaDowd.com to collect money for cancer research in Kelly Jo's name. But when they went create the website, they found the domain name had already been taken by an unofficial website using Dakoda's picture and name.

Someone named Shawn Jackman bought DakodaDowd.com after learning about her story in October. The Dowds say they don't know Jackman and he has no relation to the family.

According to the Dowds, Jackman originally agreed to give the name up when Dakoda's father first contacted him. But now they say he won't give it up unless they pay $5,000.

"It ended abruptly with the sound of the phone hanging up on his end. He told me basically, 'Let's start the bidding at $5,000 and see where we go,' " recalled Ryan Julison of Ginn Co., Dakoda's corporate sponsor.

No one answered when Action News went looking for Jackman at his Largo home, and several phone calls to him were not returned.

"It's a little bizarre, I don't know what his plans are. He said he wanted to give the site as a gift to Dakoda, but never made any contact with the family. Then when I asked him, 'Here's your opportunity to give the gift,' he declined," Julison continued.

The family says the last time anyone heard from Jackman was last Thursday, when he told them the going rate for the domain name was $5,000. Now, the Dowds are hoping he'll reconsider so they can put the whole thing behind them and focus on Dakoda's golf career and Kelly Jo's treatment.

"This man's done something wrong. And unfortunately, it frightens me, as a mom, to know that he's been able to take my daughter's name and to take her face and develop a website from it," Kelly Jo added.

In the meantime, Ginn Co. has secured all other possible domain names for the 12-year-old. They are also looking into possible legal action against Jackman.

Top LPGA Golfer, Cristie Kerr Raises $100K For Breast Cancer At Charity Golf Classic

record-breaking $100,000 was raised at this year's UpLink Birdies for Breast Cancer Charity Golf Classic, hosted by Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) star Cristie Kerr. This annual event took place on December 3, 2005 at the Reunion Resort & Club outside of Orlando, Florida. Kerr's charity foundation, Birdies for Breast Cancer, is proud to distribute the proceeds to the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, newly dedicated Kathryn Krickstein Pressel Memorial Fund of the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Other events that took place surrounding the fundraiser included Cristie Kerr and fellow LPGA player Brittany Lincicome signing pink hats at the Tampa Bay Lightning game on Friday, December 2nd to raise money for the Moffitt Breast Cancer Fund. Star amateur golfer who recently turned pro, Morgan Pressel, received the annual Birdies for Breast Cancer CoURagE Award and the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute dedicated the Kathryn Krickstein Pressel Memorial Fund to celebrate the life and memory of Morgan's mother who died of breast cancer. Twelve-year old junior golfer Dakoda Dowd was named the junior spokesperson for Birdies for Breast Cancer by Kerr. Dakoda's mother, Kelly Jo Dowd has been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.

"This year's event was a huge success on many different levels. We put forth a lot of energy to raise money toward breast cancer research programs," said Cristie Kerr, host of the UpLink Birdies for Breast Cancer Charity Golf Classic and founder of the Birdies for Breast Cancer program. "I am confident that our continual efforts along with our wonderful corporate sponsors can make an overall impact to be one step closer to a cure for breast cancer."

Kerr along with Birdies for Breast Cancer was joined by Title sponsor UpLink Corporation and Presenting sponsor Allen Partners. "As a Cancer Survivor myself, I have tremendous respect for anyone who has a commitment for this cause," said Glenn Pierce, President and CEO of UpLink Corporation. "Cristie Kerr is a perfectionist in her personal and professional life. It was a very easy and exciting decision for UpLink Corporation to be part of this world-class event and have the privilege to be involved with Cristie. We have already decided to be the title sponsor for next year."


Other participating sponsors included American Airlines, Anheuser-Busch, Audemars Piguet, Aviator Sports, Chrysler-Jeep, Coca-Cola, Energy Capital Partners, Lacoste, Panera Bread, Waugh Cellars and XL Generation.

The UpLink Birdies for Breast Cancer Charity Golf Classic had 200 guests, including LPGA players as well as other professional athletes and known celebrities. Guests included LPGA golfers Brittany Lincicome, Michelle McGann, Leta Lindley, Kim Williams, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc, Patricia Baxter-Johnson, Karen Stupples and Jan Stephenson; golfers from the Big Break series on The Golf Channel Thomas Blankvoort and Don Donatello, NHL player Vincent Lecavalier, former NHL player Brian Mullen, former NFL player Wesley Walker, actor Michael O'Keefe (Caddyshack's Danny), and golf trick shot artist Buddy Shelton.

Cybersquatter Halts Charity Efforts Of Teen Golfer

You may never see a prettier golf swing from a 12-year-old.

As Dakoda Dowd competes in youth golf tournaments her mother Kelly Jo, who has breast cancer, is never far from her mind.

Dakoda Dowd, Golfer:
"My Mom and my family are ten times more important than golf."

Kelly Jo Dowd, Dakoda’s Mother:
"She's keeping me alive. She's giving me strength. She's giving me hope."

Dakoda's been given a sponsor's exemption to compete in a women's pro tournament next year in Orlando, so her mother could see her play with some of the world's top golfers.

Tournament organizers encouraged the Dowds to tell their story through the website, "DakodaDowd.com."

But they found the site taken by local businessman Shawn Jackman, who reportedly told the Dowds they could have it for $5,000.

Dakoda's family says she is the victim of cybersquatting -- that's sitting on the domain name on the internet of a business or person before it becomes famous.

Mike Dowd, Dakoda’s Father:
"He needs a lot of prayer, he's got something hurting in his life, I feel sorry for him. So we're just going to focus on the positives that are happening."

Jackman did not return our phone calls.
But his actions don't seem to bother Dakoda.

Dakoda Dowd, Golfer:
"I don't really want my own website, so I don't care. I don't think I deserve my own website."

Someday, Dakoda Dowd's golf game may rate her a website.

Her family is considering another domain name, so she can raise cancer awareness, through the game she loves.

Dowd Family Wants To Raise Funds; Man Wants Money For Domain Name

A Largo businessman is seeking payment for the rights to a domain name the family of Palm Harbor golf prodigy Dakoda Dowd had hoped to use for breast cancer research.

Shawn Jackman acquired the rights to DakodaDowd.com several weeks ago and was asking for $5,000 to relinquish it, according to Mike Dowd, Dakoda's father, and Ryan Julison, an executive with the Ginn Co. in Orlando that has granted the 12-year-old a sponsor exemption to an LPGA Tour event in April.

Jackman did not return several phone calls and an e-mail requesting comment over the weekend.

Dakoda's mother, Kelly Jo, is battling breast cancer. When real estate developer Bobby Ginn heard about it, he wanted to help by inviting Dakoda to play in the inaugural Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open at Reunion Golf Club near Orlando. She was offered one of two sponsor exemptions, along with Michelle Wie. The tournament hopes Kelly Jo can realize her dream of watching Dakoda play with professionals.

Recently, the Ginn Co. sought to set up a Web site for Dakoda so people could donate to cancer research, while also sending cards and well wishes to the family.

Problem was, DakodaDowd.com had been registered by Jackman, who on Thursday, according to Julison, asked for $5,000 to return the domain name.

This came on the same day that, according to Mike Dowd, Jackman had agreed to return the domain name for free. Such domain names can typically be purchased for less than $50.

"I just think it's sad," said Julison, senior vice president of corporate communications for the Ginn Co. "From our perspective, all we want to do is help further the cause that Mike and Kelly Jo and Dakoda are putting forth: hopefully raise some money, give people an opportunity to send good wishes and letters. There are lots of (Web) addresses out there. That's not an issue. The thing is it's a little girl's name. She is living through a tragedy."

Julison said the company initially offered $1,000 for the name. Jackman, Julison said, declined, saying in an e-mail he did not like the fact the bid was made anonymously. He did offer to "set up a meeting to discuss the grayareas," according to the e-mail he sent Julison.

Jackman told Julison he secured the name to aid the family. He wanted to help them design a Web site. But while he has had the rights to the site for several weeks, Jackman never contacted the Dowds until Mike Dowd tried last week to reach him.

"When he made contact with me, I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt," Dowd said. "I took him at his word. He said he would release the site back to me at no cost. ... Then I heard later he wanted $5,000 for the site. So he is nothing but an opportunist."

According to public records, Jackman owns a woodworking business in Indian Rocks Beach.

It is common for people to take what they believe could be a popular domain name and later sell it.

"When I tried to secure the site, I realized it was taken," Julison said. "We put $1,000 in. But he wouldn't sell it for that price. He initially said it would be a gift for Dakoda. But he never did it, and (that's) when the craziness started ... "

Mike Dowd said he was initially resistant to the idea of a Web site for his daughter. But he came around to the idea when he realized it could help breast cancer research and prolong the legacy of his wife.

"I wanted this to be a part of my daughter's healing process," he said. "I just want him to do the right thing. It's my daughter's name and she should have access to that. I think it's rude and wrong what he is doing."

Don't Knock 'Em Until You Try 'Em

A Florida man has registered the Internet domain address dakotadowd.com, named for 12-year-old Dakoda Dowd, a promising Palm Harbor girl whose mom is terminally ill. He is attempting to sell the rights to the family, which is struggling financially, yet hopes to use the Web site to solicit cancer research donations. Because of her family's plight, Dakoda has been given a sponsor exemption into the LPGA's inaugural Ginn Open at Reunion Resort in April.

Despicable. Hope this guy finds several black coal-like lumps in his Christmas stocking. If not in his liver, kidneys and lungs for thumbing his nose at everybody who has ever waged the battle against cancer.

Just Shy, But Still Pinellas' Best

"It was definitely a challenge playing with players as strong as [Morgan Pressel] and [Vicky Hurst]," [DANIELLE JACKSON, Sr.] said. "Morgan is basically on the LPGA tour, and Vicky will be there soon. It was probably unlikely that I was going to beat them, but you have to play with who you're put with."

At the region tournament, Jackson was the only player to shoot under par (71) as she helped Northside Christian win. Northside finished third at state. Still, Jackson did her part.

Largo's [Andrea Messer] fell just short of the Class 2A state title, losing in a playoff.; At the Class A tournament, Northside Christian's Danielle Jackson finished tied for third behind champion Morgan Pressel (who finished second at the U.S.; Open).; D.J. Jackson;

Standing on the 18th tee of the Links at Pointe West in Vero Beach, Largo's Andrea Messer was in the midst of a sudden-death playoff with Stuart Martin County's Alexandra Buelow.

Tied for the lead through 36 holes, the two were shuttled off to the par-4 18th to produce achampion at last month's Class 2A state tournament. Messer went first and hooked a 9-iron to the right. Buelow hit a gorgeous shot that landed a few feet from the cup.

On the brink of letting her first state title slip away, Messer went through a series of languid practice swings, her serenity seemingly unruffled. In those blue eyes, there was a familiar focus and no fear. But she couldn't catch up and watched Buelow birdie the hole.

Danielle Jackson understood her pain.

She was playing a few miles away in the Class A tournament against a stellar field that included Boca Raton St. Andrew's Morgan Pressel and Melbourne Trinity Episcopal's Vicky Hurst.

Jackson, a senior at Northside Christian, stayed within striking distance, shooting a first-round 69. But she faded a bit as Pressel, who finished second at the U.S. Women's Open, won her third consecutive title in a two-hole playoff.

"It was definitely a challenge playing with players as strong as Morgan and Vicky," Jackson said. "Morgan is basically on the LPGA tour, and Vicky will be there soon. It was probably unlikely that I was going to beat them, but you have to play with who you're put with."

Still, Messer and Jackson showed a lot of grit.

Messer competed with teammate Evan Jensen for top honors among the county's public school golfers. In fact, the two were so good, they often measured their skills against the boys. They fared well. At the Green Devil Invitational, Messer finished fifth.

"I wanted to get to state," Messer said. "But I also had some other goals, such as playing with the boys and doing well against them. I'll keep playing against them, and that'll help me get to the next level and, hopefully, win the state meet."

Jackson, the Times 2004 golfer of the year, was the key on a Mustangs team that returned four of five starters from last season's team that won the Class A title.

The only one missing was Dakoda Dowd, a homeschooled seventh- grader who skipped the season to spend time at home while her mother battles breast cancer.

Her departure left a gaping hole. Ultra-deep Northside found Ryan Ashburn to take her place.

But the key was Jackson.

Last summer, the Stetson recruit qualified for the U.S. Girls Junior Championship, a tournament that has served as a training ground for future pros such as Nancy Lopez, Kelli Kuehne, Beth Bauer and Aree Song.

During her flight to Eagle, Idaho, for the tournament, Jackson sat next to Pressel.

Jackson did her part to keep up with Pressel and keep her team in contention.

At the region tournament, Jackson was the only player to shoot under par (71) as she helped Northside Christian win. Northside finished third at state. Still, Jackson did her part.

"I still felt we accomplished a lot of things," Jackson said. "We lost one of our best players, and we still won the Bay Conference and district and region meets."

COACH OF THE YEAR

D.J. JACKSON, NORTHSIDE CHR.

In 2001, Jackson started the school's program, which climbed to the top of a strong group of county teams. Last season, the Mustangs won the Class A state title, only the second time the county had a girls golf champion.

This season, Northside sought history again. But one of its best golfers, seventh-grader Dakoda Dowd, took the year off because her mother is battling breast cancer.

The Mustangs did not repeat, finishing third, but were the strongest and most consistent team in the county.

Web Site Holder Playing Game With Family's Grim Time

Mike Dowd is a computer illiterate.

Until recently, about all he knew about Web sites is that he didn't want one for his daughter. So what if she is one of the best junior golfers in America?

"I always thought it was pretentious to build a Web site for a 12-year-old," Dowd said.

Then things changed. Maybe you're familiar with the story of Dakoda Dowd. The girl from Palm Harbor could be the next Michelle Wie, though that's a lot of expectation to lay on any seventh-grader.

What's generating attention now is her mother's grim battle against breast cancer. Kelly Jo Dowd wants to hold on until April, when her daughter will play in the LPGA's inaugural Ginn Open at Reunion Resort.

You'd need a heart the size of a ball mark to not feel anything but sympathy.

Meet Ebenezer Jackman.

I take that back. His real name is Shawn Jackman, and the Pinellas County businessman could just be terribly misunderstood. Though you can see why the Dowds might be confused.

Ginn tournament officials wanted to set up a Web site for Dakoda. People could donate to cancer research. Money would also go to other children who need help chasing their dreams of becoming a golfer or pianist or whatever. Mike is a social worker, and knows what that could mean to his daughter.

"She would know her mother's loss is not in vain," he said. "She could help somebody else. How good would that be for the healing process?"

People have been speculatively grabbing domain names for years. It's one thing to grab Beer.com to get a big check from Anheuser-Busch. It's another to register DakodaDowd.com in hopes of shaking down a 12-year-old whose mother is dying of cancer.

Not that we're certain that is Jackman's plan. He did not return a call Wednesday, so all we can do is go by his conversations with tournament officials.

They offered him $1,000 for the name. No dice.

Jackman said he didn't like the fact the bid was made anonymously, but that he wouldn't have sold it even if he'd known it came from Bobby Ginn. A billionaire's check could always bounce, you know.

He said he wants to help the family by designing a Web site. If so, you'd think he'd solicit their input.

"He's made no attempt at all," Mike said.

Jackman also said he plans to give the Dowds the site. But he's held it for at least a couple of weeks, if not much longer. You'd think he would want to do it while Kelly Jo could appreciate the gesture.

"She's just really struggling," Mike said. "If it wasn't for the fact she can look in those little blue eyes of Dakoda's, she'd probably already have started to let go."

The Dowds are hurting financially, but Mike doesn't want charity. He had to come up with $12,500 for a burial plot this week. This story didn't come from him, but he turned down offers of help, saying it was his responsibility.

Dakoda could always use another domain name. But in the jungle that is the World Wide Web, name confusion can torpedo any enterprise.

All Dowd can do is hope Jackman's motives are more honorable than they appear. He's waiting to find out. He can't wait forever.

"I don't want to see the guy shamed," Mike said.

If shaming is what it takes, so be it. Though in a sad way, Jackman might be doing Dakoda a favor.

Since her story got out, the family has been overwhelmed by gestures of generosity and kindness. Now a 12-year-old is learning what Scrooges some grownups can be.

12-year-old Palm Harbor Girl Is Playing For Her Terminally Ill Mother

Dakoda Dowd has become the most famous 12-year-old in golf. Which isn't to suggest that she's the most well-known "tween" elsewhere.

Or, for that matter, even the most famous kid named Dakoda, spelling notwithstanding.

"Well, there's Dakota Fanning," Dowd said of the child-star actress. "I'm really jealous. She's already a multi-millionaire."

Truth be told, Dowd, a promising junior player from Palm Harbor, would be happiest if she was just another anonymous kid. Her growing publicity parade continued Saturday at the Reunion Resort, where she was named the junior spokesperson for the national charity Birdies for Breast Cancer, an affliction the Dowd family knows intimately.

Last month, Dakoda was given a sponsor exemption into the inaugural LPGA Ginn Open in April, and the family is praying that Kelly Jo Dowd's terminal breast cancer doesn't take her life before she gets a chance to see her only child play with the game's top pros. Their story was picked up by several newspaper and TV outlets, making Dakoda a mini-celebrity, especially in golf circles.

Dakoda has grown up plenty in months since learning that her mom had only about a year to live and she's poised to help others in the same dire situation. The Ginn Company, developers of Reunion and the Bella Collina communities in the Orlando area, has pledged $100 for every birdie she makes in 2006 in her junior, high school and amateur events. Others can donate directly to the charity in Dowd's name at birdiesforbreastcancer.com.

"I think it's very special," Dowd said. "I'm glad to help other kids, other moms, because I don't think anybody should have to go through this."

Her parents continue to be swept up in a tidal wave of emotion that began when the LPGA sponsor exemption was announced. Of course, helping raise money to fight cancer trumps competing in a tournament by a long par-5 and then some.

"What a way to honor her mom," said Mike Dowd, 45, Dakoda's dad. "Her mom and I were talking today, 'Would you ever believe your daughter would be able to carry the torch of your memory?' What an incredible gift. It's much more incredible than playing in the tournament."

The Dowds live in a cramped apartment near the Innisbrook Resort in Pinellas County. Mike has had to quit his job to take care of his wife, yet there are some unseemly types out there trying to capitalize on their pain. The Ginn Company considered starting a Web site for the Dowds to help generate support, emotionally and financially, but found that a man in Largo had already registered the Internet domain name dakodadowd.com and is hoping to cash in by selling the title.
"Just some shameless opportunist," Mike Dowd said. "[Developer] Bobby Ginn tried to talk to the gentlemen, but he won't relent. It's just ridiculous."

Still, Kelly Jo has had an extra spring in her step for the past few weeks. Instead of just waiting around for fate to tap her on the shoulder, the family is fighting back as a unit.

"This makes me feel so elated and overjoyed that something like this has come into our lives," said Kelly Jo, 40. "I'm just so very, very proud that we're part of something like this."

Dakoda was formally named the junior captain for the charity by LPGA star Cristie Kerr, the charity spokesperson. Kerr's mom had cancer, too, but survived.

"Anything that heightens awareness of breast cancer makes me feel 100 percent better," Kelly Jo said.