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via Imago

via Imago

Grace Summerhays is a new but not-so-unfamiliar name in the golf world. In January 2022, Summerhays arrived at ASU and started to compete.  The young lady has already found a decent place in the field. Recently, she was the individual leader in Sun Devil Women’s Golf, Darius Rucker Intercollegiate.

This 20-year-old began to hit the golf ball at a very young age. The young golfer was born into a golf-packed family. Hence, one could say that golf is in her DNA! Her father’s and brother’s helped her to quickly fall in love with the game.

Grace Summerhays: Family and golf history

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This young achiever isn’t the first Summerhays to play golf; she is the daughter of Boyd Summerhays, who was a professional golfer for about 11 years. He coached other players competing on the PGA Tour and was Tony Finau’s longtime instructor. Grace Summerhays’ brother, Preston Summerhays, is a standout on the ASU men’s golf team. 

Moreover, her brother, Preston Summerhays, has also competed in numerous amateur events across the country, being named U.S. Junior Amateur Champion in 2019. “I was born into a golf family; basically everyone in my family plays golf,” Grace Summerhays said. She also added, “Seeing my brother and father out on the course made me want to be around them.” “I’m a very family-oriented person, and being around them helped me learn pretty quick and make it fun.”

The sibling duo play collegiate golf at Arizona State and have spent time practicing together at Silverleaf Golf Club in Scottsdale with former Sun Devil Jon Rahm. Going deeper into the golfer’s family golf history introduces Bruce Summerhays, Boyd’s uncle, who won three times on the PGA Tour.

Summerhays has proven herself at almost all levels now, including junior golf, amateur championships, women’s professional events, even men’s Korn Ferry Tour qualifiers, and college golf. She finished four strokes under par, good for fourth overall in the ASU Women’s Golf tournament in 2022. Again in the year 2023, the teenager added a spark to her family name and entered the 2023 US Women’s Open. Her first round at Pebble Beach Golf Links was like a dream come true. Interesting stuff: She partnered in this game with her dad, Boyd, against her brothers, Cameron and Preston.

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The Summerhays family is a tight bunch. While they don’t get to practice together as much as they did in junior golf, Grace said she’s always learning something from Preston, particularly when it comes to short games. “It’s an amazing dynamic,” said Grace. When it comes to the relationship with her brother, she mentioned, “We’re super competitive and hate to lose to each other, but at the same time, we both want the best for each other.”

Her youngest brother, Cameron, 16, is also actively exploring his ways on the golf course, following in the footsteps of his father and siblings.

The Scottsdale resident is a self-made perfectionist but also agrees that her father is the supporting pillar in her life. However, she is also very close to her mother. Certainly, the Summerhay family has earned their spot in golf and is continuously flowing through a wave of impressive separate performances.

What’s the secret to their family’s success?

They work hard and smart. “My dad has raised us and trained us really, really tough,” said Preston. But when it comes to golf, Boyd does everything he can to take the pressure off of his kids. He encourages them and always wishes them luck before they start playing. “I always text my kids before any competitive round to say, ‘I love you, proud of you, and just go play,” said Boyd.

This shows how much they mean to each other and how the support and love of the family are crucial for a player, just like training and practicing.

Grace Summerhay is a grateful person

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Summerhays completed high school online; she preferred homeschooling to the regular one. This gave her the freedom to practice more without school being a problem, and as a result, she graduated a semester early. “When you have a great program right in your backyard, it makes the choice obvious for me,” said the teenager.

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“We need to keep doing what we’re doing,” said the golfer. “I’m blessed to be given these opportunities presented to me because of my family name, and I’m excited to see what’s next.”

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Her love for the game, for her family, and the talent she carries forward have been demonstrated several times and will surely continue to do so in the future as well.