Cancer-Stricken Mom To Watch Pre-Teen Prodigy Dakoda Dowd in LPGA Event
Pre-teen golf prodigy Dakoda Dowd will make her cancer-sticken mother's dream come true April 27 by playing in an LPGA tournament thanks to a sponsor's exemption.
Dakoda Dowd turns 13 on Monday, three days before her mother resumes chemotherapy after beating breast cancer only to have doctors discover the cancer had spread to her hip bone, liver and spine.
Dakoda Dowd helped a Florida high school team claim a state title while six grades below the seniors, but her mother, Kelly Jo Dowd, saw little hope she would live long enough to see her daughter play in an elite tournament.
"I was not going to get to see my daughter play on the LPGA Tour. It was breaking my heart because I knew she had the ability," Kelly Jo Dowd said. "It was one of the hardest things because I knew I wasn't going to see it."
The Dowds story prompted Bobby Ginn, sponsor of next month's Ginn Clubs and Resorts Open, to invite Dakoda Dowd to his new event.
"What he has done for me is irreplacable. He made my dream come true," the elder Dowd said.
"It has been amazing. Fantastic. Sensational. It has been so uplifting. Right now I'm in a very good frame of mind. I'm fighting very hard for this."
While watching her mother's fight for life, Dakoda finds golf's troublesome moments minor by comparison.
"Nothing compares to that," she said. "Part of me is happy because it has made me stronger. When I look into her eyes and think about what she is going through, it gives me a lot of strength."
The chance to play alongside such idols as world number one Annika Sorenstam is less daunting for Dakoda Dowd because of what it will mean for her mother.
"It's going to be rough but it's going to be great," Dakoda Dowd said. "I'm really excited and happy. I'm just going to go out there and have fun and be happy my mom will be watching. That's the most important thing.
"She helps me through a lot of stuff. She keep me positive. She's my rock."
Kelly Jo Dowd, who turned 41 on March 10, was a "Hooters" girl, serving as a calendar and poster model during 14 years where she worked her way from waitress to restaurant general manager.
Then came cancer and chemotherapy, losing hair and many of the trappings of beauty she learned were only secondary.
"It played havoc on my self-esteem. I felt very confident before. I lost all that," she said. "It was a tough time but because of that I became a better person and became more confident."
Kelly Jo Dowd's battle made her want to help other women who face similar challenges in their lives.
"I want to help as many women as possible. I can help people. There are a lot of people out there just like me," she said.
"I felt the lump and didn't check it out immediately. I didn't think it was serious at all. The number one thing I can say to other women is take it seriously. Don't wait. Don't do what I did. Get a mamogram."
Dakoda Dowd has drawn strength from and given strength to her daughter at various times during her combat with cancer.
"Her inner strength is there from everything I've gone through, all the stuff she has had to go through," Kelly Jo Dowd said. "Everybody in the family has been deflated at times, crying at stages.
"We have gotten each other through it. I've looked to her for strength at times. She's an incredible golfer. She had a lot going on and this slaps her in the face.
"There have been times she hasn't felt like playing, like her heart is not into it. She still puts in the time. She has got a will power and a lot of courage to go out there and get it done.
"Dakoda Dowd believes we're go back on the chemo and beat this in another three months."
And if cancer can be conquered, what chance do mere golf rivals stand?
"Just playing on the tour will be a dream come true," Dakoda Dowd said. "I can't say I wouldn't like to win some day."
Dakoda Dowd turns 13 on Monday, three days before her mother resumes chemotherapy after beating breast cancer only to have doctors discover the cancer had spread to her hip bone, liver and spine.
Dakoda Dowd helped a Florida high school team claim a state title while six grades below the seniors, but her mother, Kelly Jo Dowd, saw little hope she would live long enough to see her daughter play in an elite tournament.
"I was not going to get to see my daughter play on the LPGA Tour. It was breaking my heart because I knew she had the ability," Kelly Jo Dowd said. "It was one of the hardest things because I knew I wasn't going to see it."
The Dowds story prompted Bobby Ginn, sponsor of next month's Ginn Clubs and Resorts Open, to invite Dakoda Dowd to his new event.
"What he has done for me is irreplacable. He made my dream come true," the elder Dowd said.
"It has been amazing. Fantastic. Sensational. It has been so uplifting. Right now I'm in a very good frame of mind. I'm fighting very hard for this."
While watching her mother's fight for life, Dakoda finds golf's troublesome moments minor by comparison.
"Nothing compares to that," she said. "Part of me is happy because it has made me stronger. When I look into her eyes and think about what she is going through, it gives me a lot of strength."
The chance to play alongside such idols as world number one Annika Sorenstam is less daunting for Dakoda Dowd because of what it will mean for her mother.
"It's going to be rough but it's going to be great," Dakoda Dowd said. "I'm really excited and happy. I'm just going to go out there and have fun and be happy my mom will be watching. That's the most important thing.
"She helps me through a lot of stuff. She keep me positive. She's my rock."
Kelly Jo Dowd, who turned 41 on March 10, was a "Hooters" girl, serving as a calendar and poster model during 14 years where she worked her way from waitress to restaurant general manager.
Then came cancer and chemotherapy, losing hair and many of the trappings of beauty she learned were only secondary.
"It played havoc on my self-esteem. I felt very confident before. I lost all that," she said. "It was a tough time but because of that I became a better person and became more confident."
Kelly Jo Dowd's battle made her want to help other women who face similar challenges in their lives.
"I want to help as many women as possible. I can help people. There are a lot of people out there just like me," she said.
"I felt the lump and didn't check it out immediately. I didn't think it was serious at all. The number one thing I can say to other women is take it seriously. Don't wait. Don't do what I did. Get a mamogram."
Dakoda Dowd has drawn strength from and given strength to her daughter at various times during her combat with cancer.
"Her inner strength is there from everything I've gone through, all the stuff she has had to go through," Kelly Jo Dowd said. "Everybody in the family has been deflated at times, crying at stages.
"We have gotten each other through it. I've looked to her for strength at times. She's an incredible golfer. She had a lot going on and this slaps her in the face.
"There have been times she hasn't felt like playing, like her heart is not into it. She still puts in the time. She has got a will power and a lot of courage to go out there and get it done.
"Dakoda Dowd believes we're go back on the chemo and beat this in another three months."
And if cancer can be conquered, what chance do mere golf rivals stand?
"Just playing on the tour will be a dream come true," Dakoda Dowd said. "I can't say I wouldn't like to win some day."
posted by John at 4:21 AM
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