Dakoda Dowd Misses Cut But Still Wins

April 29, 2006

Sponsors can do whatever they want with their exemptions, and in the inaugural Ginns Open, the sponsors decided to invite 13-year-old Dakoda Dowd, whos dying mother’s dream is to see her play on the LPGA Tour.

Predictably, Dowd missed the cut, but the Ginns people surprised her family with a replica of the tournament trophy.

Very, very classy.

Actually, for a 13-year-old not named Wie, Dowd didn’t do that poorly. She shot a two-over 74 on Thursday and an 82 on Friday to miss by two.

But what I find incredible is that she performed as well as she did under that kind of pressure. Her mother is dying of breast and bone cancer and has perhaps a couple of months to live. Her dying wish is to see her little girl play on the LPGA.

As a teacher, I can tell you that it’s tough enough being 13 years old. But to have to deal with your mother’s impending death and her LPGA fantasy would be too much for a most. And to have to deal with it in front of millions on tv ...

My hat’s off to Ginns and the LPGA for offering a very remarkable girl the chance to give her mother a glimpse of a dream.

Posted By The Golf Blogger