Big 12 champion, OSU’s Kenzie Neisen, plays golf in memory of her brothers
By Eric Bailey – Tulsa World
STILLWATER — Kenzie Neisen always had a kiss for her brother Thomas.
Mornings began with a peck on the cheek and a message: "Have a great day."
On March 26, the Oklahoma State freshman golfer traveled hundreds of miles to return home and give Thomas a final kiss. One day later, the 15-year-old died following complications from Hunter Syndrome, a rare genetic disease.
It was the second time the Neisen family had been through this hurt. In 2009, Kenzie’s older brother, Samuel, died at 16 from the same disease.
One day after attending Thomas’ funeral in their hometown of New Prague, Minnesota, on March 31, Kenzie returned to OSU. She was emotionally spent, but not without support. Her church family helped her. Her coaches were there for her. The men’s and women’s golf teams catered to her needs.
And then — one month after her final kiss to Thomas — Kenzie defeated 44 other golfers to win the Big 12 championship.
Read more in the Tulsa World here.