Shooting a double bogey in the first hole of any round of golf is never ideal.
For LSU senior golfer Lindsay Gahm, beginning her final round of the conference championship that way was not what she envisioned happening, but Gahm made a strong recovery and finished second overall in the 2014 Southeastern Conference Women’s Golf Championships.
“She started the last day in contention to win the tournament,” said LSU women’s golf coach Karen Bahnsen. “She did not get rattled at all after that first hole, and I think her composure deserves much credit for her steady performance.”
After finishing 11th at the same event last year, Gahm felt comfortable playing on the course again and managed to push forward with the support of her teammates.
“Going into that tournament, we really had a good, positive attitude,” Gahm said. “I really think that rubbed off on everyone, and we had a chance to win as a team.”
Gahm shot rounds of 73-71-73 for a 1-over-par finish of 217, finishing higher than other Lady Tiger in the tournament for the second consecutive season.
Her runner-up performance is the highest finish for a Lady Tiger since Kay Harris accomplished the feat in the 2001 SEC Championships at Gainesville, Fla.
“I didn’t really have the best ball-striking week,” Gahm said. “I switched putters recently, so I have been having a lot of confidence with that lately. My putting, chipping and overall short game really helped me.”
Fellow senior and current roommate Madelene Sagstrom said she could not have been happier for Gahm. Sagstrom points to Gahm’s successful fall campaign, which included a first-place overall finish at The Alama Invitational, as a precursor for this success.
“I’m so proud of her,” Sagstrom said. “She keeps proving to all of us that she can always be accountable, and to finish second overall in such a competitive league is a huge accomplishment.”
Gahm has picked a great time to play her best golf. After playing in her last conference championship, the Louisville, Ken. native’s lasting effect on the team will still resonate with the team as the season concludes.
“She keeps showing the older golfers and the younger golfers that she can deal with anything,” said Sagstrom. “And if she can do it, we all can do it.”
Sophomore Elise Bradley vouches for her teammate and said Gahm’s overall determination in such a big event is something she will remember for a long time.
“I think any day can be anybody’s day, and I think our team carries that similar will to brave any challenges,” Bradley said.
Gahm quickly shifts any individual attention to focus on the team’s goals, and she admits she’ll have time to recall last week’s performance following the season.
For now, Gahm wants to find a way for her and her teammates to play their best golf at the same time. The senior may still want to advise her peers that shooting a double-bogey may not always yield such highly regarded performances.
“I think this performance shows that we can compete for a national championship,” Gahm said. “We can hold our own against the best competition.”
“We can hold our own against the best competition.”