By Rick Morwick
Senior Lucy Young can’t recall a time when golf was not a part of her life.
“I have been playing golf for as long as I can remember,” said Young, the No. 1 player on the Center Grove High School girls golf team. “My dad loves golf and I used to play with him. I used to do golf camps when I was little and I started playing competitively when I was in sixth grade.”
A four-year standout, Young seems to have saved her best golf for last, which is terrific news for the defending sectional champion Trojans with the postseason underway. They are bidding for their first trip to the state finals since a sixth-place finish in 2015.
“Our team has been working really hard, so I think we have a good chance at winning sectionals,” Young said. “We have a tough regionals but I think we could also go on to state this year.”
Sectional plays began Sept. 14. The top three teams advance to the Sept. 22 regional, from which the top three teams qualify for the Sept. 28-29 state finals.
“We have played rather consistently over the season, showing steady improvement,” first-year Trojans Coach Cale Hoover said. “It has been a few years since the team has qualified for the state finals, so that is one of the big objectives. It is possible but we need each player to play well on the same day.”
Consistency has been a hallmark of Young’s game throughout the season. Last month, she earned medalist honors at the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference Tournament with a 4-under-par 67. The score was a personal best for Young, who routinely shoots at or near par.
“I just had my record-low tournament at MIC and I want to keep it going through the postseason,” Young said. “I think the biggest challenge in golf is staying level. After you have a bad hole, you can’t get upset about it or else it could hurt your whole round.”
Fortunately for the Trojans, Young seldom, if ever, has bad rounds.
“She leads through her consistent play and dependability,” Hoover said. “She has a phenomenally positive attitude and tremendous work ethic. She has a very solid all-around game but I think her short game leads the way.”
An aspiring college player, Young is still sorting her options. But her immediate focus is on the postseason and doing her part to help the Trojans accomplish their main objective of advancing to the state finals.
“I feel very blessed to get to play with such great teammates and amazing coaches,” she said. “Everyone is very supportive of one another. I really like the competition and meeting new people.”
THE YOUNG FILE
NAME: Lucy Young
SPORT: Golf
YEAR: Senior
EXPERIENCE:
Four-year varsity starter
POSITION IN LINEUP: No. 1
AGE: 17
HOBBIES/INTERESTS:
“When I’m not doing homework, I like to spend time with my friends.”
FAVORITE MOVIE: Nerve
FAVORITE TV SHOW: “Scream Queens”
COLLEGE PLANS:
Is still sorting options; plans to continue golf career and study accounting
PARENTS: James and Deana Young