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EmailNormally, the words high school sophomore and seasoned veteran aren’t descriptors used in the same sentence. That’s not the case for Lydia Gumm.
The 16-year-old at North Hardin High School in Radcliff, Ky., is in her eighth season on the high school golf circuit in Kentucky, where there aren’t any age requirements that specify when a player can begin competing. Gumm added to her string of success Aug. 28 by winning her fifth consecutive Kentucky Invitational Tournament. Even more impressive is the score she put up to maintain her five-for-five record in the event: A 9-under 61.
Gumm had 10 birdies and a bogey on her way to the six-shot win, starting with a birdie on the first hole that put her in her comfort zone.
“I really hit my driver good, attacking pins with my wedges,” she said of the round. “I was fortunate enough to roll some putts in. It was just a really good day.”
The round was five shots lower than Gumm’s previous personal best, a 66 she shot at the same tournament last year.
Gumm plays as an individual for North Hardin since she’s one of only two girls on the team. She played in her first Kentucky State High School tournament as a third grader after putting up a 90 in the regional tournament that year to qualify. A pair of 88s at state secured a 28th-place finish for the then-8-year-old.
Gumm can only remember getting support from her friends, family and coaches as she became the youngest player to qualify for the state championship.
“That was a huge honor to be the youngest that had ever played in it,” she said.
It’s also not surprising that Gumm has been playing golf since she was 3 years old, picking the game up from her dad Greg, who also plays. In her young career, Gumm has twice been named Kentucky Miss Golf (player of the year) and has found success in the state amateur (medalling twice in stroke play and finishing as the runner-up in match play in 2009). Just give it time before she comes out on top of that one – after all, she’s only been playing the event since she was 10.
For now, Gumm is concentrating on finishing out the high school season, which is closing in on regionals. College is in her sights, but she isn’t sure of any details other than that.
“I still have a litle bit of time,” she said.
It’s one of the many perks of being a seasoned veteran by the age of 16.
