Golf prodigy, 17, suddenly collapses and dies during homecoming prank
A promising golf star and high school student has sadly passed away after collapsing at the age of 17.
Hadden Kelly attended Dodge County High School as a junior in Georgia, USA, and was found in the yard of a house, which he and his friends were pranking.
The group were 'TPing' it, which involves throwing loo rolls over houses and yards, causing a bit of a nuisance for those living at the property.
Kelly was found unresponsive on Monday (15 September) during his school's homecoming week, his great-uncle told 41 NBC.
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The high school student's death is still a mystery, as Joe Smith, who is both Kelly's great uncle and Dodge County Coroner, said that an investigation into the teen's collapse is ongoing.
He even said that his late great-nephew was charismatic and that he was targeting a career as a professional golfer, telling 13WMAZ: "If he didn’t pass, I swear he would’ve gone pro," revealing that the teen even worked at the Dodge County golf club while playing the sport every day.
Describing him as a 'great kid', the coroner added that he 'talked to everybody' while he was around.
Regarded as one of the most promising and talented athletes in his high school, the 17-year-old was to compete in an upcoming state golf tournament this summer, following two top 10 placements in tournaments played so far this year, according to the Georgia State Golf Association.
Following the teen's untimely death, his school paid tribute to Kelly, saying that Kelly 'loved golf and the golf team loves Hadden'.
The statement went on: "Hadden was our team leader, always encouraging and forever speaking positive words to all around him. He so hoped that our golf team would keep improving and desperately sought to participate in the state tournament.
"He was our top-performing golfer and always finished earlier than most of his teammates. He ALWAYS stayed till each team member finished."
They explained that he could have left most of the time due to the number of times he came first, but they noted that 'it wasn't about him', as Kelly was the ultimate team player who 'wanted the team to succeed'.
"We love Hadden and we love his family! Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Let's take this example of selflessness into our own lives and little by little make the world a better place!" they concluded.
Autopsy results are yet to be published, with Kelly's cause of death still unknown.
Joshua Nair