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Tampa Golfing Prodigy Dies Of Cancer At Age 12

Photo from Maria Johnson

Cancer patient Harris Armstrong, 12, event honoree, at the Pediatic Cancer Foundation Breakfast of Hope, Feb. 7 at the Tampa Marriott Waterside.

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By JOE HENDERSON

jhenderson@tampatrib.com

Published: December 4, 2008

Updated: 12/04/2008 01:37 pm

TAMPA - Harris Armstrong, a 12-year-old golfing prodigy from Tampa, died Monday after a 14-month fight against cancer.

His battle received national attention on the Golf Channel and attracted the attention of golfing great Tiger Woods and other celebrity athletes. He won an estimated 50 local, regional and state tournaments, and was a two-time runner-up in the Golf Channel's National Championship.

He won his first junior tournament in Tampa at age 5, competing against players up to three years older.

"Harris was very mentally strong, even more so than physically," said Chris Gaughan, Harris' golf coach and the teaching director at Avila Country Club in North Tampa. "He was quite a talent."

He met Tiger Woods in Orlando while taping a show for the Golf Channel, along with Annika Sorenstam.

Harris was diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma after doctors discovered a tumor at the base of his spine in October 2007. His battle against the disease led to the creation of the "Pray Strong" wristband, based on Romans 12:12 - "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer."

The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church. Visitation is Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Blount & Curry Funeral Home-Carrollwood Chapel on Bearss Avenue in Tampa.

Reporter Joe Henderson can be reached at (813) 259-7861.

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