Biddle earns spot at Class 4A golf

Winfield junior Kenna Biddle will be where those who know her golfing ability expected her to be on Monday morning playing in the Class 4A girls tournament at Topeka’s Lake Shawnee.

It’s a logical progression for the 17-year-old Biddle, who helped the Vikings win the 4A title as a freshman and tied for 11th individually at state last season.

Biddle’s preparation for the current season was severely limited as she convalesced in late spring and summer from proton beam therapy a concentrated radiation treatment on the remnants of a brain tumor she was first diagnosed with four years ago.

“Before the season, she hadn’t played since March,” said Biddle’s mother, Kim.

Despite challenges with balance and vision, Biddle has played in eight tournaments this season.

Chris and Kim Biddle eventually took Kenna to Houston, where a surgeon removed portions of a low-grade tumor on her brain stem near delicate cranial nerves.

Seeking a new outlet for their younger daughter, the Biddles, who live on Winfield’s Quail Ridge Golf Course, suggested she try golf.

“I didn’t want to play golf originally because I thought it looked boring and was only for old men,” Biddle said.

Biddle also experiences nystagmus, a vision condition that causes uncontrolled, rapid eye movements and presents challenges when addressing a golf ball.

Biddle has been allowed to ride in a cart in tournaments this season, accompanied by Winfield assistant Kevin Hottinger.