Dakoda Dowd, a 12-year-old golfing phenom, who has won 185 junior trophies, is the
nation's top-ranked golfer in the graduating class of 2011. In the golfing world, all eyes are on this young golfer.
Dowd, who began golfing at 4, has the concentration and precision of focus every top-notch athlete must perfect in the
sport at which they excel. She has risen to the top in the junior golfing world because of this ability and her golfing
talent. But for now, Dowd has walked away from golf. Kelly Jo Dowd, her mother, is dying from breast cancer that has spread into her organs and bones. Her mother beat breast cancer the first time around, but it came back with a sinister vengeance. Kelly Jo Dowd, 40, one-time Hooters swimsuit model, is the only woman to climb the restaurant chain's corporate ladder from waitress, to manager, and to general manager. Being competitive and winning is something the members in this family knows how to do. Except right now, her mother is not winning the fight against breast cancer.
In addition to leaving the world of golf, Dakoda has left school and is currently being home schooled, to be able to stay close to her mother. Dakoda, nicknamed “Koda” by her family and friends, dreams of one day playing on the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour, but for now, she is devoted to being with her mother.










