High School Golf Prodigy, 17, Dies Suddenly After Collapsing During Homecoming Prank

High School Golf Prodigy, 17, Dies Suddenly After Collapsing During Homecoming Prank

Eastman, GA — The Dodge County community is mourning the sudden and tragic death of Hadden Kelly, a 17-year-old junior at Dodge County High School and a standout golf prodigy, who collapsed during a homecoming prank early Monday morning.

According to officials, Kelly and friends were toilet-papering a home — a common homecoming tradition — when he was found unresponsive in the yard. Despite immediate efforts to revive him, he was later pronounced dead.

His great-uncle, Dodge County Coroner Joe Smith, confirmed the heartbreaking news and said the cause of death remains unclear pending autopsy results.

A Star Athlete With a Bright Future

Kelly was widely regarded as the best golfer at Dodge County High School, earning multiple top-10 finishes in Georgia State Golf Association tournaments and working daily at the local golf club.

“If he didn’t pass, I swear he would’ve gone pro,” Smith told 41 NBC. “He never met a stranger, talked to everybody. A great kid.”

Kelly’s coach and teammates described him as not only the team’s top performer but also a source of encouragement and positivity.

“Hadden was our team leader, always encouraging and forever speaking positive words to all around him,” the team wrote in a Facebook tribute. “He so hoped that our golf team would keep improving and desperately sought after participating in the State tournament. He was our top performing golfer.”

Community in Mourning

The news has devastated classmates, teachers, and community members alike. Dodge County High School issued a statement expressing grief and offering prayers for the family:

“There are no words to express the sadness that our DCHS family feels for the loss of junior Hadden Kelly. Please join us in prayer for his family, friends, and our DCHS family. Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.”

Legacy of Leadership and Kindness

Though only 17, Kelly was remembered as a charismatic leader, an ambitious competitor, and a young man who always stayed behind after competitions to cheer on his teammates.

“Hadden LOVED golf and the Golf Team surely loves Hadden,” the team wrote.

His sudden death has left a deep void in the school and community, with friends and loved ones holding onto memories of a talented, supportive, and kindhearted teen whose future once seemed limitless.