AUGUSTA, Ga. — Almost two years ago, Ressie Lemmon achieved something she never had before on the golf course.
Two weeks ago, she added another memorable experience to her list of firsts, and it unfolded nearly 650 miles from her hometown of McCordsville at Augusta National Golf Course.
On April 5, Lemmon, 10, a Fortville Elementary School fourth-grade student, showcased her talents on the host course of The Masters Tournament during the 2021 Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals in Augusta, Ga.
Lemmon was one of the top-10 golfers throughout the country in her age group that earned a spot in the annual competition, which was aired on The Golf Channel prior to the recently completed 2021 Masters Tournament.
The young golfer placed fifth overall in the national competition. In the individual events, she finished third in putting, sixth in driving and sixth in chipping.
The Drive, Chip & Putt competition is a youth development program sponsored by The Masters, the United States Golf Association and the PGA.
In the fall of 2019, Lemmon earned her spot at Augusta by winning her regional qualifier in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. and the sub-regional event in Lebanon. She finished second at the local qualifier in Columbus, Ind.
Lemmon had competed in the Drive, Chip & Putt competition for three years, never advancing past the sub-regional level until 2019 when she secured her invitation for the 2020 national event, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though it took a little longer than expected, Lemmon finally reached Augusta this month for the rescheduled event, tallying points against her nine other competitors based on varying skills performance.
Golfers netted points on driving distance conducted within a designated fairway. Throughout her young career, Lemmon’s drives have ranged from 130-170 yards.
The chipping and putting portions of the national competition were scored based on placement and distance from the hole with more points accumulated the closer the golfer positioned the ball to the cup.
When asked to describe her experience, Lemmon remarked, “The best thing I’ve ever seen.”
Her mother, April, added that the event was a blend of Disney World and heaven for golfers, according to a press release.
Lemmon not only put her skills on display while at Augusta, she also was able to rub elbows and observe several notable golfers, including Bubba Watson and Justin Rose. She was able to meet College Football Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz and Former United State Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during her trip as well.
Lemmon has been an avid golfer since she was old enough to swing a club, following in the footsteps of her older brother, Elijah, 12.
The Lemmon siblings, which also includes Nellie, 8, and Winnie, 3, have formed a strong family bond through golf and the tutelage of their grandfather, Tom Kirby, who recently took over as the Mt. Vernon High School varsity boys golf coach.
Last year, the Lemmon children competed at the U.S. Kids World Championship in Pinehurst, N.C. and they collectively finished in the top 20.
Lemmon admits she trains as much as possible, and she stuck to her routine before heading to Georgia.
In the summer, she plays several courses at least three, sometimes four, times a week, and in the winter months, she practices in her basement with her sights set on the immediate and long-term future.
“I plan to play in the women’s amateur when I’m old enough and go to the Worlds at Pinehurst this year again,” she said.
Maybe another trip down south in a few years, too, one day in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur or more.
