Talented UK junior golfer dies in her sleep aged just 13
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and coaches of golf prodigy Elexis Brown.
Tragic news has reached us this morning that 13-year-old golf prodigy Elexis Brown died in her sleep on Friday morning, just hours after her parents had found her sleepwalking during the night.
Elexis was regarded by her golf coach as a "genuine star" and one of the best junior golfers in Lincolnshire having reached a handicap of 8.5 at Woodhall Spa Golf Centre.
"She went to bed as usual on Saturday night but she woke up sleepwalking and unfortunately had been a little bit sick," Elexis' father Ben Peter told Lincolnshire Live.
"We put her back to bed to make sure she's okay, as you would do as a parent. A few hours later we found her and she was gone."
Elexis' dream had been to play golf in the United States one day.
"She worked so hard to get where she was, and her dream was to play in America and play for England Golf Girls," said her father.
Peter added that he had been touched by the messages of support that the family had received about Elexis on social media.
"I'd not realised how popular she was until I saw all the tributes on her Instagram," he said.
"She never knew herself how popular she was because was a very modest person.
"If she could see what people are saying about her and her achievements, I think she'd be shocked."
Happy retaining my win in the Girls 11-12 @uskidsgolf British Kids Championship @woodhallspagolf with a steady 2 day rounds of 76 & 75.Dedicating my win to my lovely friend @EBrown25558910. Gone but not forgotten. Lovely course & staff. Thank u. pic.twitter.com/sI4eNu2Kuj
— Arianna Golf (@AriannaV_Golf) August 15, 2021
Elexis' golf coach Anders Mankert tweeted: "I'm devastated to hear that golf has lost one of its brightest stars. I had the privilege of coaching her and witnessing first-hand her extraordinary rise in the game. A genuine star."
Alison John, another man who helped coach Elexis, said: "She was a talented golfer, whose work ethic showed her passion for the game.
"As her short game coach, I saw how she helped others. She was approachable and yet modest.
"She is much missed and will not be forgotten."
Our thoughts here at GolfMagic are very much with the family, friends and coaches of Elexis. RIP Elexis.