The freshman year of high school is one of life’s greatest learning experiences. While most freshmen are packing up their lockers this time of year, ready to move on to whatever the summer holds, Animas High School freshman Faith Mewmaw is about to get a crash course in high level tournament golf.
The 15-year-old is the sole representative from the Durango High School golf squad to qualify for the Colorado High School Activities Association’s Class 4A State Girls Golf Championships. The tournament will be held at Pueblo’s Pueblo Country Club, May 23-24.
Last week, Mewmaw buried a clutch downhill, left-to-right, 5-foot putt in a playoff to beat two other girls and qualify for state at Yampa Valley Golf Course.
However, as a freshman, new experiences can be intimidating.
“I definitely never expected this to happen to me, especially this year,” Mewmaw said as she headed to the first tee at Hillcrest Golf Club to play a Monday practice round with DHS girls’ golf coach Kirk Rawles. “Some of those girls shot 77 and 78 to qualify, and that’s really good. I’m not that good. I just hope I don’t embarrass myself.”
Mewmaw cut down her first set of clubs with her father, Doug, when she was 5 years old, but tournament golf is relatively new to the young teen. She’s still learning with every shot and she’s also learning that golf is a completely different game when the nerves come into play.
Clearly not comfortable with a reporter’s set of eyes on her as she played her first hole, the freshman struggled at the start of her practice round.
“This is good,” Rawles said. “This is good preparation for the pressure she’ll feel this weekend.”
As all freshmen do, Mewmaw settled in. She hit good shot after good shot, and even began opening up to the nuisance reporter watching her as her confidence grew.
“I was so nervous in that playoff,” she said. “I didn’t think about settling down or anything with my swing, I just tried to control my breathing.”
That’s a savvy move for a freshman, and it definitely worked to her advantage as she got up-and-down from just off the green to win, while her opponents three-putted.
“It was incredible because my grandparents were there and everyone was watching,” said Mewmaw, daughter of Cathy and Doug Mewmaw. “At first, I didn’t really want a huge group following me. I shot the best round of my life, though, so it worked out in the end.”
It might not always work out in the end, especially in the cruel game of golf, but overcoming the initial fear and performing better than ever is a big step for a young athlete.
After nine holes of meaningful practice Monday, hitting different shots from yardages likely to match those at Pueblo Country Club with a nosy reporter in her ear, it was just another learning experience for a talented freshman.
“You’re not so scary,” she said. “I was nervous at first, but that was a lot of fun.”
Whether she shoots the rounds of her life, or plays like an overwhelmed freshman, hopefully Mewmaw will feel the same way about her first trip to the CHSAA State Girls Golf Championships.
jfries@ durangoherald.com
Behind the scenes
What is your favorite club in your bag?: 7-iron. It just feels right.
What is your favorite outdoor activity in Durango other than golf?: Paddleboarding
What is your favorite golf course?: The Faldo Course in Phoenix
Which golfers do you model your game after?: Rickie Fowler and Paula Creamer
What is your favorite sports movie?: I’ve always loved Bring It On.
What is your nickname?: Faithy
What is your favorite area restaurant?: Fired Up
What is your favorite book?: The Fault in Our Stars
What field of study would you like to pursue?: Fashion Design. It would be cool to design golf clothes for women.
What person has been most influencial on your growth as a student-athlete?: So many people, but my dad has always been my biggest fan and he’s taught me everything I know about golf.
