Lake Forest junior Emily Young bids her friends adieu as the golf season begins.
“My friends kind of make fun of me,” Young said. “They just say, ‘See you after the golf season.’ “
Golf is a big part of Young’s life. Lately, life has been very good.
Following her medalist round of 76 at the Class 2A Lake Forest Regional on Oct. 8, she grabbed her clubs and headed out for a quick 18 at her family’s home course, The Merit Club in Libertyville. She spent the weekend prepping for Tuesday’s sectional and Friday and Saturday’s state tournament by playing 36 holes.
Her regular preparation came in handy when she was 4 over par through the first three holes at last week’s regional at Deerpath Golf Course. She showed newfound confidence in rallying to card a 76 and eventually topping Barrington sophomore Reena Sulkar in a one-hole playoff to win the regional title.
“That was one of the coolest things I’ve done because of the rough start,” Young said. “Even last year after something like that, I would have struggled to get back to 80. I would have just freaked out. But I kept my head down.”
She said everyone from her mom, the athletic director and her teammates cheered her on during the playoff.
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“But it showed that I’ve grown, not just athletically, but also mentally,” she said. “Especially to be able to handle the pressure after the rocky start.”
Young first got the golfing bug in second grade, when she made the most of a deal with her father — she had to score 100 percent on a spelling test — to win her first set of golf clubs. Since then, she has been a model of consistency who only appears to be getting better as she gets older.
“She’s just super consistent,” first-year Lake Forest coach Steve Johnson said. “She hits the ball well, drives it straight, is a great iron player. If she putts well she’s tough to beat. Mentally she just doesn’t get too up or down. She just plays her game. And when she’s on, she can go pretty low.”
A state qualifier as a freshman, Young missed qualifying for the state tournament by one stroke last year. Already in the midst of a stellar season, Young is eager to finish her third high school season on a high note.
“Obviously I’ve had a good season. I can say that confidently,” Young said. “I’ve done things I wanted to do so anything from here on is icing on the cake. Regardless of what happens this week, I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
“But I’d still like to play well. That’s always the goal.”