A 17-year-old high school golf starlet has died suddenly after collapsing in a yard with his friends during their school’s homecoming week.
Hadden Kelly was partaking in a toilet paper prank with friends when he collapsed in the yard on Monday, his great-uncle, Dodge County Coroner Joe Smith, told 41 NBC.
The Dodge County High School junior – who was the school’s top golfer with a score of 76- had been ‘TPing’ a home ,tossing toilet paper into trees and yards, when a friend found him unresponsive.
Coroner Smith said his nephew was rushed to Dodge County Hospital, later pronounced dead in the emergency room.
Smith told WMAZ the cause of his death remains unclear and they are awaiting autopsy results.
Smith described Kelly as an ‘outspoken and outgoing’ young man who was an incredibly talented golfer.
The 17-year-old’s GSGA Junior Tour profile showed his consistent scores of high 70s in 2023. Professional golfers aim to score lows 70s and 60s, according to Performance Golf.
Kelly desperately sought after participating in the state tournament. Smith described him as ‘a jam-up golfer. If he didn’t pass, I swear he would’ve gone pro.’
17-year-old Georgia student athlete, Hadden Kelly, died suddenly on Monday, according to Dodge County Coroner Joe Smith
Kelly collapsed around 9am while participating in ‘homecoming activities’ with friends, he was rushed to the hospital and later pronounced dead
His team posted a memorial statement on Facebook, writing how the ambitious golfer was an encouraging leader.
They wrote that Kelly was their ‘top performing golfer’ and had an infectious goal-driven mindset. He always stayed late to support his team when he finished the competition early.
‘He could have left as most of the time he finished first against the competition. It wasn’t about him. He stayed to support his team,’ the post read.
‘What a witness to his character! 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!
The Georgia community is supporting each other after the young man’s death.
The Dodge County High School expressed their condolences for the family and community, writing how Kelly is ‘gone from our sight, but never our hearts.’
Neighboring school districts also shared their support for Dodge County.
According to Georgia State Golf Association, Kelly has two top 10 placements in his 2025 tournaments
Kelly was their ‘top performing golfer’ and had an infectious goal-driven mindset, he always stayed late to support his team when he finished the competition early
Kelly’s uncle described him as an ‘outspoken and outgoing’ young man who was friendly, and talked to everyone
According to Georgia State Golf Association, Kelly has two top 10 placements in his 2025 tournaments.
He placed fifth at the Regional Qualifier at Spring Hill on June 30 to July 1 .
He tied for sixth at the Western Georgia Junior Classic on July 28 to 29 on the Green Island CC course.
