Graham crowned a long drive world champion
By Lethbridge Herald on October 2, 2024.
submitted photo
Sara Graham hoists one of her Ultimate Long Drive World Championship trophies that she won.By Justin Seward
Lethbridge Herald
Local long drive golf competitor Sara Graham is a first-time world champion.
Graham captured the amateur world title in the 35-plus and 40-plus categories with drives in the high 260-yard range at the Ultimate Long Drive Championship in South Carolina last week.
Graham beat last year’s open category champion, Krisitina Demmick, in the 35-plus category and Jennifer White in the 40 plus.
“I’m just proud of myself for just being able to kind of manage and not quit when there’s like the down times and everything,” said Graham.
“So this is a really nice high and it’s validating I guess.”
The wins didn’t come without its difficulties.
“I had some technical difficulties with some tees,” said Graham.
“So I started (with the) 35 plus and then I had an O.B. (out of bounds) set. So my very first set was really good and then my second one wasn’t because two of my tees broke and they’re tees that I don’t break ever. So that threw me off and I had to go back to my husband and be like I need tees.”
Graham was forced to hit into challenging conditions for that were brought on by Hurricane Helene.
“It was absolutely insane,” said Graham.
“The pressure in your head is incredible. I was like what’s happening, what’s happening and one of the locals was like that’s the hurricane.”
The format was each hitter hit six balls in three rounds and the best advances through the quarter final, semi-final and final.
Graham wants to continue to get stronger and faster from the wins.
“I want to get back into that pro status (and) be a legitimate concern for those ladies,” said Graham.
In doing so, Graham would like to be 10 to 15 miles per hour faster in ball speed.
Her goal next year will be to hopefully win the worlds open category.
“Then I would feel absolutely confident to move back into the pro tour,” said Graham.
Graham won the amateur Canadian title in 2022 and 2024.
If people are interested in being a long drive competitor, they can contact Graham on Instagram at @Sara.Graham_ or through her Linked In profile.
22-21
Saw this gal “warming up” at Bridge Valley range before she went to the competition. Congratulations are in order. In awe of how far she can hit a ball.