Graham wins multiple long drive titles

By Lethbridge Herald on August 28, 2024.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Herald photo by justin seward Sara Graham holds her Canadian Amateur Long Drive trophy with coach Jaden McIntyre.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge’s Sara Graham is a long drive golf competition winner after capturing multiple  Canadian Amateur Long Drive titles in Edmonton recently.

Graham won the Open Women’s category  for the second time with the longest drive of 282 yards, the 35+ division with a 287-yard drive and the 40+ category with a 264.3-yard drive.

“To achieve those goals is a big confidence boost and then to hear it back from people that they  noticed, like they said I look 10 to 15 miles an hour faster, ” said Graham.

“But to see and get the feedback from my peers means more than any kind of title at all. I had to legitimize myself in a sport among the field of competitors.”

Her wins earned her spots in all three categories at the Ultimate Long Drive World Championships at the amateur level in South Carolina at the end of September.

Graham will only be participating in the Open Women’s and 35 plus categories due to financial and scheduling constraints.

Graham has been training at Evergreen Golf Centre consistently with her coach, Jaden McIntyre, to perfect her drives.

“I’m just staying dialed in and trying to keep my swing in control because basically what I have learned is there’s not a lot of difference between my driver’s swing and an iron swing. I should be able to do both all the time interchangeably,” said Graham.

“So to keep the consistency, stay consistent and focused.”

McIntyre will focus on strike quality with Graham over the next month.

“She can chase speed in her practice sessions as she goes because it is going to be important, ” said McIntyre.

“But when we’re working together, we’re going to get her in the centre of the club face, so she can reach her maximum ball speeds when she is pushing that speed.”

This will be Graham’s second time at worlds after placing third with Team Canada in 2022 in her first year of long drive competitions.

“Third wasn’t good enough, I want the title,” she said.

Graham felt her success has opened up opportunities with more friendships, fitness, health and mental health.