Local Golfer Making Waves at Young Age

It's been quite a couple of months for Lauren Flynn on the golf course.

The 16-year-old Milton native and student at Notre Dame Academy, Hingham, has captured top honors at three tournaments since the spring.

Being 16 and making waves in the local golf world is news enough, but what about a 16-year-old who has only been playing the game for five years.

"It's so funny, because I remember my first tournament I played I came in dead last," said Flynn, who posts a handicap around four. "I never really thought that far ahead, but I guess it's crazy where I am now."

Flynn got the ball rolling at the end of the school season when she fired a 1-over 72 at Riverbend in the MIAA State Tournament. She claimed the Club Championship at Wollaston Golf Club — which is where she began playing golf. Finally, she took home the trophy at the Norfolk County Classic at Presidents Golf Course with a 1-under 70 a little over a week ago.

The soon to be junior at Notre Dame started taking golf more seriously over the past couple of years when she said many of her peers starting seeing her talents shine through. Flynn, who will be the No. 1 player on the high school team next year, said she has learned a lot from playing on a team that has won nine consecutive state titles.

"It's been awesome," Flynn said of the high school competition. "Everybody pushes everybody. It's just really competitive, and I think it helps me become a better player too."

Countless hours of practice will also make a good player into a great one, and Flynn said she has stepped up her practice habits over the last couple of years. Flynn does not hit the ball all that far off the tee — averaging 220 yards off the tee — but she believes her short game sets her apart from other players. 

"Anywhere inside 30 yards, I'm pretty confident that I can get it up and down," said Flynn. "It's really helped me a lot."

Flynn plans on playing in a few more tournaments while the weather still cooperates in New England. She said she is seriously considering heading to a school in warmer climates when the time comes to pick a college.

But right now, she is just a 16-year-old still in the infant stages of the game of golf.

Some golfers go their whole lives without tasting the thrill of victory in a tournament, but after five years, Flynn can already take claim to the that thrill a couple times over.