Florida Golf Course Web Site Holder Playing Game With Family's Grim Time
Mike Dowd is a computer illiterate.
Until recently, about all he knew about Web sites is that he didn't want one for his daughter. So what if she is one of the best junior golfers in America?
"I always thought it was pretentious to build a Web site for a 12-year-old," Dowd said.
Then things changed. Maybe you're familiar with the story of Dakoda Dowd. The girl from Palm Harbor could be the next Michelle Wie, though that's a lot of expectation to lay on any seventh-grader.
What's generating attention now is her mother's grim battle against breast cancer. Kelly Jo Dowd wants to hold on until April, when her daughter will play in the LPGA's inaugural Ginn Open at Reunion Resort Golf Course In Orlando Florida.
You'd need a heart the size of a ball mark to not feel anything but sympathy.
Meet Ebenezer Jackman.
I take that back. His real name is Shawn Jackman, and the Pinellas County Florida businessman could just be terribly misunderstood. Though you can see why the Dowds might be confused.
Ginn tournament officials wanted to set up a Web site for Dakoda. People could donate to cancer research. Money would also go to other children who need help chasing their dreams of becoming a golfer or pianist or whatever. Mike is a social worker, and knows what that could mean to his daughter.
"She would know her mother's loss is not in vain," he said. "She could help somebody else. How good would that be for the healing process?"
People have been speculatively grabbing domain names for years. It's one thing to grab Beer.com to get a big check from Anheuser-Busch. It's another to register DakodaDowd.com in hopes of shaking down a 12-year-old whose mother is dying of cancer.
Not that we're certain that is Jackman's plan. He did not return a call Wednesday, so all we can do is go by his conversations with tournament officials.
They offered him $1,000 for the name. No dice.
Jackman said he didn't like the fact the bid was made anonymously, but that he wouldn't have sold it even if he'd known it came from Bobby Ginn. A billionaire's check could always bounce, you know.
He said he wants to help the family by designing a Web site. If so, you'd think he'd solicit their input.
"He's made no attempt at all," Mike said.
Jackman also said he plans to give the Dowds the site. But he's held it for at least a couple of weeks, if not much longer. You'd think he would want to do it while Kelly Jo could appreciate the gesture.
"She's just really struggling," Mike said. "If it wasn't for the fact she can look in those little blue eyes of Dakoda's, she'd probably already have started to let go."
The Dowds are hurting financially, but Mike doesn't want charity. He had to come up with $12,500 for a burial plot this week. This story didn't come from him, but he turned down offers of help, saying it was his responsibility.
Dakoda could always use another domain name. But in the jungle that is the World Wide Web, name confusion can torpedo any enterprise.
All Dowd can do is hope Jackman's motives are more honorable than they appear. He's waiting to find out. He can't wait forever.
"I don't want to see the guy shamed," Mike said.
If shaming is what it takes, so be it. Though in a sad way, Jackman might be doing Dakoda a favor.
Since her story got out, the family has been overwhelmed by gestures of generosity and kindness. Now a 12-year-old is learning what Scrooges some grownups can be.
Until recently, about all he knew about Web sites is that he didn't want one for his daughter. So what if she is one of the best junior golfers in America?
"I always thought it was pretentious to build a Web site for a 12-year-old," Dowd said.
Then things changed. Maybe you're familiar with the story of Dakoda Dowd. The girl from Palm Harbor could be the next Michelle Wie, though that's a lot of expectation to lay on any seventh-grader.
What's generating attention now is her mother's grim battle against breast cancer. Kelly Jo Dowd wants to hold on until April, when her daughter will play in the LPGA's inaugural Ginn Open at Reunion Resort Golf Course In Orlando Florida.
You'd need a heart the size of a ball mark to not feel anything but sympathy.
Meet Ebenezer Jackman.
I take that back. His real name is Shawn Jackman, and the Pinellas County Florida businessman could just be terribly misunderstood. Though you can see why the Dowds might be confused.
Ginn tournament officials wanted to set up a Web site for Dakoda. People could donate to cancer research. Money would also go to other children who need help chasing their dreams of becoming a golfer or pianist or whatever. Mike is a social worker, and knows what that could mean to his daughter.
"She would know her mother's loss is not in vain," he said. "She could help somebody else. How good would that be for the healing process?"
People have been speculatively grabbing domain names for years. It's one thing to grab Beer.com to get a big check from Anheuser-Busch. It's another to register DakodaDowd.com in hopes of shaking down a 12-year-old whose mother is dying of cancer.
Not that we're certain that is Jackman's plan. He did not return a call Wednesday, so all we can do is go by his conversations with tournament officials.
They offered him $1,000 for the name. No dice.
Jackman said he didn't like the fact the bid was made anonymously, but that he wouldn't have sold it even if he'd known it came from Bobby Ginn. A billionaire's check could always bounce, you know.
He said he wants to help the family by designing a Web site. If so, you'd think he'd solicit their input.
"He's made no attempt at all," Mike said.
Jackman also said he plans to give the Dowds the site. But he's held it for at least a couple of weeks, if not much longer. You'd think he would want to do it while Kelly Jo could appreciate the gesture.
"She's just really struggling," Mike said. "If it wasn't for the fact she can look in those little blue eyes of Dakoda's, she'd probably already have started to let go."
The Dowds are hurting financially, but Mike doesn't want charity. He had to come up with $12,500 for a burial plot this week. This story didn't come from him, but he turned down offers of help, saying it was his responsibility.
Dakoda could always use another domain name. But in the jungle that is the World Wide Web, name confusion can torpedo any enterprise.
All Dowd can do is hope Jackman's motives are more honorable than they appear. He's waiting to find out. He can't wait forever.
"I don't want to see the guy shamed," Mike said.
If shaming is what it takes, so be it. Though in a sad way, Jackman might be doing Dakoda a favor.
Since her story got out, the family has been overwhelmed by gestures of generosity and kindness. Now a 12-year-old is learning what Scrooges some grownups can be.
posted by John at
7:37 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home