Teen's shot at LPGA starts with Sorenstam

St. Pete Times
Apr. 10, 2006

Dakoda Dowd spent Thursday doing what she always does: smacking balls on a driving range. Only this practice session was different.

The 13-year-old prodigy from Palm Harbor played alongside one of golf's top players, Annika Sorenstam. "It was so exciting," Dakoda said.

The meeting was part of a dying wish come true.

Dakoda's mother, Kelly Jo, is battling breast cancer that has advanced incurably to the liver and bones. Bobby Ginn, a real estate developer, learned of Dakoda's situation and decided to help by offering her one of two sponsor exemptions to play in the LPGA's inaugural Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open April 27-30 at Reunion Golf Club near Orlando.

Sorenstam was there Thursday to offer advice to Dakoda as she prepares to play against the pros. "It's amazing to see how (Dakoda) has been able to handle everything," Sorenstam said. "I heard of her story about a year ago and was touched by it. It's neat that we're able to kick-start her career with something like this." Dakoda has found ways to deal with the cancer and grow from it.

She plays guitar and often writes songs about the gravity of her mother's situation. "She has been amazing through all of this," said Michael, Dakoda's father. "She usually is a free spirit and laughs and jokes. She always has fun, but I can tell this is tough to deal with. We have a close family and my wife and daughter have a great bond."

Dakoda's devotion to her mother has gotten the attention of the national news media. She has given interviews to the New York Times and People magazine and did a spot on the CBS morning news. The fanfare continued Thursday as dozens of cameras followed Dakoda to the driving range. Minutes later, Sorenstam arrived and signed a guitar that was presented to Dakoda by the Ginn Co. Then they hit golf balls.

Dowd started with an errant shot. "Ugghh!!! You guys didn't see that," Dakoda said.

The mentoring session lasted a half-hour. They talked about their favorite courses, and dealing with the pressure of being in the spotlight.

"She's a role model to me," Dakoda said of Sorenstam. "Everything she said was so perfect."

Dakoda's 15 minutes of fame were not over. She still had interviews with more than 20 television stations, including ESPN's Cold Pizza and Jim Rome's show.

"It's been a long day," Dakoda said. "I can't wait to tell my parents about it."

Michael and Kelly Jo couldn't make the trip. Kelly Jo had a port installed to begin another dose of chemotherapy. "I was a little out of it to be there," Kelly Jo said. "I was able to see some of Dakoda's interviews on television, though. It looked like she was having fun, and that's what I wanted for her. "The big thing is to be there for the LPGA event."

That should happen. "All I can imagine is lining up for the first shot and looking over and seeing my mom there," Dakoda said. "It will be the highlight of my life."