Professional Golfer Brian Harman emotionally addressed a terrifying drowning incident that nearly took the life of his 6-year-old son, Walter.
On Tuesday, November, 19, Brian, 37, detailed the scary scene, which happened last month when his wife, Kelly Van Slyke, and their three boys were vacationing in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. At the time, Brian was comPeting in the Asian Tour’s SJM Macao Open in China.
While Walter was bodyboarding on October 13, he was pulled into the water by a strong rip current. A family named Cathy Dowdy, who was vacationing with the family, jumped into the water to attempt to save the boy. During the attempted rescue, Dowdy injured herself and has been in a coma for nearly six weeks.
Walter was ultimately saved by a man named Crane Cantrell, who was walking on the beach and observed the incident and was able to reach him.
“Obviously our world down here was kind of turned on its head,” Harmon said during a press conference at the RSM Classic. “I don’t really know what I wanted to kind of say other than I wanted to use whatever platform I have to bring awareness to what Cathy did, what Crane did. They disregarded theirselves, went into the water, saved my son and how do you thank people like that? I don’t know other than to just say what you think.”
Brian — the 2023 Open Championship Winner — added, “I think that bravery and doing something like that for people who aren’t your blood is just the most beautiful thing you can do in this life.”
Dowdy was recently transferred to a hospital in Savannah, Georgia. According to the St. Johns Citizen, a lifeguard pulled her out of the water and administered CPR until first responders arrived on the beach.
“Cathy’s still hurt real bad,” Brian said. “She’s up in Savannah and we’re thinking about her.”
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A GoFundMe has been set up to benefit Dowdy and her family, which has raised over $75,000.
“The money raised will help cover the expenses for hotel rooms, possible long term lodging, food and gas,” the support page reads. “We want them to be comfortable and supported for the time it takes for our Cathy to make it back to us. Above all, we ask you to continue to PRAY for a full recovery.”
