Golf Scramble Fun

 This past weekend, Matt and Lily Grace teamed up for a golf scramble.  They had a great time.  Out of 18 teams, they finished 4th.  Lily Grace won closest to the hole and with that came a free round of golf at her favorite course and some cash.  

Gracie took this beautiful picture on the course.

I asked these two to have someone take their picture at the scramble and this is what I got...a selfie after the fact.  Have mercy!

Regionals

 When Lily Grace stepped onto the Noble Hawk Links course on Saturday morning, she was pretty nervous.  It's a hard course. "Links" in the name says it all.  It's meant to challenge a golfers skills.  

Five hours and 18 holes later, Gracie walked off with a HUGE smile.  She had an amazing round of golf!!!  While the Lady Saints finished 10th overall, Lily Grace shot the best score on her team.  She beat both her opponents by several strokes and also shot her best score for 18 holes. 

Matt and I had so much fun watching Lily Grace play her last varsity game of the season.  We can't wait to see what she does next year as her passion and skills grow.  She's wasting no time.  She was back on the driving range this afternoon.  

The Noble Hawk Links course is beautiful.  On the front nine sits this quintessential Indiana scene, red barn and all.

Her first year on varsity has been amazing!  We are so proud of you Gracie!!

2nd Place Sectionals

 It was a long and very chilly day, but the Lady Saints pulled out a second place finish at Sectionals.  

It was late afternoon before the girls could start shedding layers.  Gracie did a great job.  She beat one of the girls in her group and tied the other.  

With a top 3 finish, the Saints are off to Regionals next Saturday! 

Keeping Busy on the Greens

 Lily is still having a great time playing varsity golf.  It keeps us quite busy both during the week and on the weekends.  

On Tuesday evening, the Lady Saints won against two local schools to take first place.  Lily Grace had a great night which included an exciting 25 ft putt. She lead with the lowest overall score of 42. She played a beautiful round, all on a course she hadn't played before.  It's so much fun to watch her.  

One of her teachers from middle school, who's also an avid golfer came to cheer her on which only made the night more special.  Thank you Jodi!  

Go Saints!

                                     

First High School Picture Day

Freshman Class of 2024

1st Invitational

 Lily Grace played in her first Invitational as a varsity member of the Saints golf team today.  All the girls did great!!!  There were 14 schools from the area.  The Saints took 3rd place.  

Lily beat the girl she was paired with, shot her lowest score on 18 holes and finished 4th on her team.  

Her dedication is off the charts.  After hours of walking and playing 18, she left and headed to another course for her hour long golf lesson. 

We are so proud of you Gracie and love watching you play!

 

Being the only freshman on the varsity team, she feels some pressure and these girls have been so kind to her.

And just like that...

 Gracie's a freshman and off to her first day of High School!

High School Golf

 Lily Grace started practicing with her high school golf team last week.  Last night and tonight she got her first taste of playing in matches with the team.  

She did great!!!  The Saints won both nights.  Last night she shot the overall best score.  Tonight she stepped up to Varsity and had another great night.  She shot 4 strokes over last night, but still ended up beating the opponent she was paired with by 7 strokes.  

Gracie has worked so hard on her game this summer and continues to do so.  Watching her put it all into action and meet each of her goals is the best!  

We are so proud of you Lily Grace!  Go Saints!

She took this difficult shot to the green.

Lily has a beautiful swing. She drove 200 yds off the tee leaving her with a short lay up to the green.

She did it!

Lily Grace has spent this summer really working on her golf game.  She's been up at the range constantly, working with Coach Gary and putting in the work.  She's had one goal in mind, to make her high school girl's golf team.  

Friday morning started the two day try out process.  They played nine holes each day and on Saturday, they did so in the rain and a temp of 69 which happen to be the day she shot her best score.  

All of her hard work paid off and she did it!  She is a proud member of the Bishop Dwenger High School girl's golf team.  

We are so proud of you Gracie!  

Matt and I were super nervous for her.  I couldn't resist riding  by the course on my way to the grocery on Saturday to see if I might catch a glimpse. Sure enough, there she was pushing through the rain determined to make the best of it. 

Having just received her official team bag

Amelia Island

Last week, while Lily Grace was at camp, Matt and I did something we haven't done in 14 years.  We took a trip, just the two of us.  We left bright and early last Sunday morning after dropping Gracie off at church.  

We flew to Amelia Island, FL and enjoyed a week at the Ritz Carlton.  

We had no worries.  We knew that Gracie was in completely safe hands and was having fun.  Matt and I had a great time!!  We never even left the resort.  We had planned to, but with everything the resort had to offer and with how relaxed we were, we just stayed put.  We laughed a lot, took in the beautiful Atlantic Ocean and enjoyed our time together.  It was amazing!  

While flying was different, it was still pretty busy and of course masks, but really no big deal at all.  

The hotel and the grounds throughout the resort were beautiful.  

The pool area was so nice.  The furniture was inviting and comfy and we spent a lot of time here.  

Lunch by the pool each day staring out at the ocean was perfect.

My favorite picture

Sea turtles and gopher turtles can be found on the island and this little fella who the resort fondly calls "Freckles" crossed our path on the way back from the beach one day.

"Amelia" was out each day by the pool.

The view from our room

After reading about the sea stars on the island, I was super excited to see one and on one of our morning walks on the beach, I got to do just that.  Sadly, this little fella had lost a couple of limbs but was still alive.