(Posted 8:30 a.m., June 9)
Orléans golfer completes first year south of the border
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

It won’t be long before the Ottawa area will be known for producing two world class, female golfers.

Every golf fan around the globe is familiar with the exploits of Smiths Falls native Brooke Henderson, her numerous championships and outstanding finishes playing on the LPGA tour.

Orléans native Grace St-Germain just complete here first year of Division I golf at Daytona State University in Florida. Photo courtesy of Daytona State

In short time, the golf world will be taking notice of Grace St-Germain another Ottawa area talent as she attempts to make her mark in the professional sport.

Already a familiar name in these parts, St-Germain committed to attend Daytona State College in April 2016 after winning several prestigious amateur tournaments incouding the 2016 Ontario Amateur Championship and the 2016 CJGA Junior Championship.

The up and comer from Orléans turned more than a few heads during her freshman year with the Daytona State Falcons.

There was the usual adjustment of being away from home for the first time, but once she settled in everything else fell into place for the Camelot Golf Club member.

“My first season at college was really good, the golf and academics went very well, my teammates were so nice and coach (Laura) Brown was awesome,” said St-Germain

The Orléans native finished off her first college golf season with a huge bang as she and her fellow Falcons claimed the program’s ninth title in 13 seasons at the 2017 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championships in Braselton, Georgia.

St-Germain recorded the lowest round of the tournament on the first day of competition, posting four birdies to shoot a 68 and finish three under par. She would end up posting a four round score of 295 (+11) good enough to finish in a tie for third place with teammate Jiwon Jeon.

With her first year of college and a National Golf Championship tucked safely under her belt, St-Germain will now turn her attention to the summer season in Canada.

“Summer season is always busy. I’ll be in Cambridge, Ontario from June 7-11 playing in my first LPGA event, the Manulife Classic. After that I’ll be travelling to several tournaments with the Canadian National team,” said St-Germain.

The 18-year-old made the jump to the national squad this year after spending two seasons with the development pro-gram and one with Team Ontario.

As St-Germain follows her dream of playing full time on the LPGA tour, she readily admits that countless hours on the practice range and putting greens lie ahead of her as she works to gain an edge over her American and Canadian counterparts.

“I’m working with (National Team)coach Tristan Mullally as well as my personal coach, Kevin Haime, and the Golf Canada support team to keep improving my physical strength and mental game, and improve my swing and other aspects of my game,” says St-Germain.

After completing another year at Daytona State, St-Germain plans to transfer to the University of Arkansas where she will complete her junior and senior years of college. After that her goal is to get her tour card and play on the LPGA.

From there the possibilities are end-less, we may even see St-Germain and Henderson go head-to-head against each other at an LPGA event one day.

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)

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