Champion Series: The Rise of a Golf Prodigy with Gracie McGovern
This episode is particularly notable as we've finally managed to snag an exceptional junior golfer to join us on our virtual round. We are indeed in for a treat as we welcome Gracie McGovern, the talk of the town and the number-one female junior golfer in Arizona.
Even as a budding golfer, Gracie has more than proved her mettle, as our host Tori got to witness first-hand. Although an anticipated four-ball qualifier match didn't go as planned due to co-player Tara Bateman injuring her ankle, Gracie took it in stride, proving her tenacity once again.
Despite the last-minute change in plans, Gracie ended up in the limelight, taking home the win in the four-ball qualifier with her partner Bryn Court. With the great accomplishment of shooting seven under par and winning the four-ball qualifier, Gracie and Bryn are now San Antonio-bound.
Stay tuned to hear all about the exceptional performance directly from the rising golf star herself, Gracie McGovern.
The Early Years of Gracie, a Budding Golfer
The journey to becoming the top-ranked junior golfer in the state began at quite an early age for Gracie. She started playing golf at the age of four, thanks to her father, Sean, who was an ardent golf enthusiast. Gracie and Sean would spend countless hours on the course, honing her skills and refining her game. The key drivers behind her success have been endless practice sessions and constant dedication to the game.
Sean recalls employing a rather unconventional method to stimulate Gracie's interest in golf. A bag of gummy worms was his 'early bribe.' For every good shot Gracie hit, she received a gummy worm. This playful method not only helped her grow an affinity towards the game but also developed her muscle memory subconsciously. Thus, even though the intention was seemingly lighthearted, the rewards were notably significant.
The Importance of Parental Engagement
The process of fostering a child's interest and potential in sports often requires an equal amount of passion and commitment from the parents. Sean, being a golf lover himself served as the perfect role model and mentor for Gracie. His consideration of golf as a pathway for Gracie's potential college education ignited the first spark. His decision to pass on his love for the sport to Gracie undoubtedly initiated her journey towards being a champion golfer.
Nevertheless, like every journey, Gracie's was not devoid of challenges. At the age of 12, Gracie was hit by a wave of burnout and she also incurred a wrist injury that pushed her away from golf for more than a year. However, this break fueled her absence, thereby intensifying her longing for the sport. This set the stage for her to bounce back stronger with an enhanced passion and dedication for golf that has only grown over the years.
The Key to Success - Dedication and Consistency
One integral aspect that has remained constant throughout Gracie's journey is her diligence and consistency. As a single father with limited resources, Sean turned their situation into an opportunity for Gracie to clock in thousands of hours of practice from an early age. Gracie, absolutely willingly, would spend approximately seven hours daily on the course solely because she wanted to be there.
Incorporating golf into every facet of Gracie's life has also kept her invested in the sport. Sean weaved in rewards and incentives, like various Beanie Babies in exchange for a quota of successful putts, to keep the continuous practice stimulating and exciting. Their routine also consisted of Gracie practicing her puts while Sean managed his real estate work. This mix of discipline, passionate commitment, and a fun-filled yet focused environment marked the cornerstone of Gracie's journey to success.
Gracie's Journey in National Tournaments
Gracie's remarkable journey in national golf tournaments has been nothing short of inspiring. From her early experiences in junior competitions to her recent foray into professional events, Gracie has demonstrated her passion and determination in the world of golf. Let's delve into some of the significant tournaments she has qualified for and the challenges she's encountered along the way. Gracie's first taste of national tournaments began at the tender age of 15. Her first qualification was for the Women's Amateur Championship, and it was a memorable moment for her. The journey to qualifying for these prestigious events was undoubtedly a remarkable feat in itself, even if Gracie doesn't remember the details of the qualifiers.
The Women's Amateur at Chambers Bay
Gracie's experience at Chambers Bay during the Women's Amateur Championship was a true test of her skills. The demanding course, her unpreparedness, and the challenging conditions made it a tournament to remember. Her determination, even in the face of adversity, laid the foundation for her future successes.
From Junior Amateur to the Mizuho Championship
Gracie's journey didn't stop at the junior level. She took her talents to the professional arena, participating in the Mizuho Championship. Despite the initial challenges and a peculiar swing issue, her experience at this event marked a significant milestone in her career. The guidance of fellow professionals Charlie Hole and Leona McGuire added an extra layer of inspiration to her journey.
Nota Bega Championship: A Caddy's Pride
For Gracie's caddy, her victory at the Nota Bega Championship was a special moment. Gracie's triumph, despite limited communication and preparation, showcased her potential. The caddy shared the joy of watching Gracie's growth and development as a golfer.
Bel Air Country Club: Where Challenges Met Beauty
Bel Air Country Club provided a unique backdrop for the Women's Amateur Championship, and Gracie was eager to meet the challenge. Her experience, complete with blisters and playing in socks, made it a tournament to remember. Despite the physical hardships, Gracie's determination shone through, leaving an indelible mark on her journey.
Memories in the Making
Gracie's golf journey has been studded with memorable tournaments, each contributing to her growth and development as a golfer. Whether it's facing the challenges of a demanding course or transitioning to professional golf, Gracie has demonstrated her resilience and passion. As she continues her golfing career, there is no doubt that more memorable tournaments and triumphs lie ahead.
Speed Training in Golf
Golfers aim to continuously improve their game and one of the ways to do this is to focus on gaining more speed. Gracie shared that the process of speed training is ongoing, and to support her improvement, they have engaged a personal trainer. This trainer, Adam, specializes in 'golf stretch,' a form of training that focuses not just on speed and weights, but also on stretching and mobility.
Training sessions with Adam occur approximately two times a week, granted there are no out-of-town commitments. Adam also works with other golfers such as Dylan Wu and Cameron Skisk. Maintaining this schedule has proven to be beneficial for Gracie as she has seen consistent improvement in her performance since she started training with him about one and a half years ago.
Training Practices and Routines
To further improve her skills, she ensures that she keeps an active and consistent training regime. On a light school week with no tournaments, Gracie would head straight to Camelback to practice after school ends at 1230. These practice sessions would go on until dark.
During training, they engage in a 'rain session,' which lasts about four to five hours. The golfer enjoys the range and is able to maintain her focus throughout the session. Depending on the day and what needs to be worked on, her training routine can vary. Some days they might spend two hours putting; on another day, she might focus on chipping and then wrap up her practice with a quick nine-hole game.
Chipping and Putting
Despite being an excellent golfer with an impressive record, Gracie recognizes that her chipping could always be better. The ability to chip is a crucial skill for any golfer, as being able to chip the ball close to the hole can save a par. And while she is quite proficient at hitting greens, a quicker iron game and better short game management are the keys to pushing the boundaries of her performance.
It is also well understood that putting plays an essential role in a game of golf. Gracie agrees that speed control is vital when putting, as it can make or break a game. But overall, she continues to strive for improvement in all aspects of the game, from making their 'bad shot' closer to the pin to refining speed control when putting.
Importance of Equipment in Golf
The conversation about equipment importance began with a key event in their golfing journey. Adam revealed that six months ago after winning the Heather Farr, they got associated with Ping through Kim Perez. Kim, being part of the Ping Tour staff, connected Gracie with her first customized Ping set. It was then that the significance of having the right set of equipment truly came to the forefront.
The partnership with Ping six months ago has been significant in making a big difference to their golfing performance. Gracie has been using Ping equipment since the partnership, and their user experience has been delightful. The brand has been proactive in fulfilling their requirements and offering customized equipment.
Gracie elaborated on her journey with her Ping irons, expressing her love for the clubs that have been nicely fine-tuned to her requirements. The customization offered by the brand extends to aesthetics as well. During the customization process, Gracie chose to have the number nine on her nine iron and the grooves on her driver painted in purple.
Tru Spec and Other Associations
Throughout Gracie's golfing journey, she had also used Tru Spec irons, a company renowned for fitting golf equipment. Prior to associating with Ping, Tru Spec was instrumental in equipping her with the apt irons for her gameplay.
Additionally, their association with golfing schools holds significance as well. The schools offer connections with golf equipment brands such as Ping, making it easier for golfers to get appropriately equipped for the game.
Experience with Ping Clubs
Gracie's first competitive round with her new Ping clubs was a resounding success, as she shot six under at the Women's Am Club. This happened just three weeks after getting her new set.
However, the journey was not without second thoughts. Gracie and Adam, in hindsight, revealed how they passed on the irons that could have given her additional ten yards carry in the air. The style of eight iron from Ping is now on Gracie's list, and she plans to test it out and decide which style best suits her gameplay in the future.
The Weight Influence on Swing
Gracie's experience with Ping's driver, stealth, reinforced the fact that the right equipment can make a notable difference in gameplay. The weight factor of the driver was something they never considered before. During a fitting session, it was found that Gracie's club was D7. The excessively heavy D7 club even surpassed what most men use in the field, which resulted in her inputting more effort to swing it. A lighter club eased her swing, allowing her to swing faster and consistently, manifesting the importance of having the correct weight equipment.
The Intricacies of College Search in the Field of Athletes
The process of getting noticed by colleges for athletes is a unique one. Sean talks about how he received communications from 51 Division One schools that were interested in scouting his daughter, Gracie. The legal contracting period for college recruiters begins during the athletes' junior year. All communications were focused on Gracie's athletic prowess in golf, with recruiters emphasizing that she was their number one choice.
The communication typically starts with text messages and then unfolds into deeper engagement. The intensity and pressure build up, making the process slightly overwhelming. To narrow down their choices, the family considered factors such as the climate of the location, the quality of the coaches, and the facilities available for practice. From 51 prospects, they slimmed the list down to just five viable options.
Selection Criteria for College Admission
Counting the options down from 51 to just five was quite the process. There were several parameters to meet, including a desirable climate—preferably warm—as Gracie was used to Arizona weather. Factors such as good coaching and a high-standard practice facility were a mandate. This was on top of the overarching consideration of a competitive team.
In their search, Gracie and her dad visited places like Pepperdine in Malibu and the University of Arizona. While both had their appeal, Gracie was eventually attracted to Texas Christian University (TCU) for its more comprehensive offerings. Gracie was smitten by the team coherence, the excellent location, as well as the people associated with the program.
Timeline of College Admission and Golf Career Aspirations
Following the selection process, the next step would be the much-anticipated signing day in November. This would mark Gracie's official commitment to TCU. In terms of long-term career objectives, Gracie harbors the dream of going pro after completing her four years in college. However, she is open to reassessing her professional prospects as she navigates her college journey.
Gracie's golf ambitions are not just rooted in her love for the sport but also an inherent competitive spirit. To maintain her performance, she plays a light schedule compared to her contemporaries in the top 50, consisting only of about six tournaments she participated in. However, her ranking, 7th in the world, speaks volumes about her capabilities.
Considerations in Raising a World-Class Golfer
The journey to raising a world-class golfer like Gracie is not without its challenges. One of the major hurdles is the financial implications. While the endeavor can be costly, the family has been fortunate to receive assistance from various entities, thereby mitigating the financial strain. Yet, there are instances when the aspirations have fallen prey to financial limitations.
Reflecting on his experiences, Sean expressed his belief that young golfers should be nurtured as athletes first. By allowing them to explore various sports, they become well-rounded athletes before specializing in golf or any other sport. It is a pedagogical approach he wished he had undertaken with Gracie, adding another layer to her overall skill set.
The journey has also been a learning experience for Gracie as she matured into an exceptional golfer with humility. Despite the occasional questions from peers about her prowess in golf or the extent of college interest in her, she maintains a grounded attitude. The commitment to her sport and her future college journey remains her primary focus – solid proof of her dedication.
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