FOND DU LAC, Wis. — A 15-year-old golfer from Beaver Dam is competing at the national Drive, Chip and Putt competition at Augusta National.
However, that opportunity was almost taken away from her due to a rare heart condition.
McKenna Nelson loves the game of golf, but she said a health scare during her first high school tournament almost sidelined her dreams.
“I called my mom to come and get me, said Nelson. I just showed her what my heart rate was on my watch. It was 230.”
After rushing to the emergency room, doctors diagnosed her with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
It is also known as arrhythmia, which is a type of irregular heartbeat. Nelson said she had two choices, live with it, or get a procedure done.
McKenna’s father, Ryan Nelson, said he wondered if she would be able to play the game of golf again.
“It was scary, said Ryan Nelson. Because anything to do with the heart as a parent will obviously scare you.”
McKenna said she’s back to feeling 100% after having the heart procedure done.
Her coach, Don DuChteau, keeps her outlook positive with the catch phrase “It’s a beautiful day.”
“She stacks up as well as anybody, said DuChteau. Her history of being ‘Women's Player of the Year’ last year, competing in National USGA, all of those things just continue to build her confidence. We have a really good feeling about this year.”
Through the highs and the lows, the young golfer said her support group is a huge part of her success.
“I’m just so grateful and thankful for everyone, said McKenna. It was just really cool ... seeing how people can just root for you so well and it means a lot.”
With no worries about her heart, McKenna said her sights are set on winning the national competition in her final year of eligibility.
The competition will be aired on the Golf Channel April 7. McKenna and her family will be sporting purple on Sunday.