By Rich Winter

History was made when Winnebago, Nebraska, senior Kelsi DeCora walked to the podium to receive her fifth-place medal at the District C3 golf tournament. Needing to finish in the top 10, DeCora became the first female golfer in the history of the school to qualify for the Nebraska state tournament.

That she qualified for the state tournament is impressive. Having picked up competitive golf just 18 months ago, and missing her golf season last year because of COVID-19, is off the charts good.

“She picked up golf just about the time COVID was starting,” Eugene DeCora, Kelsi's father said. “She started practice in the fall of 2019 before the school shut down all fall sports.”

In the spring of 2020 DeCora joined the Winnebago boys team to work on her game. It was a family affair as that team consisted of Kelsi and her brothers Randy and Eugene Jr.

A common theme for the DeCora's was always being the only ethnic minority in the room.

“For us it was something brand new,” DeCora said. “We are the only brown people in the room and on the courses.”

The DeCora family went into their first meet last year not knowing what to expect and with little to no expectations.

“We didn't even know what was good,” DeCora said. “She shot between 120 and 140 and was almost dead last.”

At the District C3 meet DeCora fired a 96 earning a trip to Columbus, Nebraska, where she’ll play Monday and Tuesday at the Elks Country Club.

DeCora is coached by Kenny Blackhawk and Sky Aldrich and her improvement has been remarkable. DeCora considered playing volleyball this fall but she followed her heart, even though she knew she would be the only golfer on the team.

“To go from where she started to where she is now is the result of a lot of individual work she's put in with her coaches,” DeCora said. “She's shooting great golf and her understanding of numbers and yardages has improved dramatically.”

When DeCora steps on the state tournament course in Nebraska she will likely be the only Native American golfer in the field. The DeCora's have put out a few feelers to other Native American schools in the state, and so far, no one can remember a Native American qualifying for the state tournament.

Solid on the golf course, DeCora is ranked No. 1 in her class. She's already taking college classes and by the time she graduates this spring she will almost have her AA degree. While Kelsi hasn't declared her official school of choice, she does have a full academic ride to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.