Lower Merion golfer Sydney Yermish is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week

The Lower Merion freshman shot a 6-under-par 65 en route to a first-place finish at the PIAA District 1 3A Girls Golf Championship, winning the tournament by five strokes. She followed that up with a second-place finish at the PIAA 3A East Regionals Monday. She tied for first at the Central League Championships earlier this fall, and in April she finished fifth in the Girls 12-13 division at the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club. Last June, Yermish competed in the U.S. Girls’ Junior Golf Amateur Championships at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach.

Q: Your 65 in the first round of Districts – was that your best round of the season? What do you think were the biggest keys to your first-place finish at Districts?

A: Yes, 65 is my lowest ever. I was hitting the ball off the tee very well and hitting almost all my approach shots on the green pretty close to the hole. I did miss a couple birdie opportunities but made a couple good ones as well. Going into Districts I didn’t know what to expect, I was just trying to make it to the next day and came out and shot 65. I think having no expectations helped me do well. Although 65 was my lowest, I have had several great scores in the 60’s mostly in tournaments which is nice.  Shooting 69 to winning the PKB Tar Heels, UNC Finley Golf Course  and 68 at the Connecticut Open at Brooklawn CC with a field of mixed professional and Amateurs. Although shooting 65 in my first Districts showing is something I will always remember. 

Q: What part of your game do you consider strongest? What aspect of your game are you working on the most currently?

A: I would say my iron game is very strong. In my golf routine I work on all aspects of my game but I make sure I get some putting and short game time in when I get off the range.  I enjoy practicing as much as playing, which is why I could spend hours out there just working on my game. 

Q: What is your favorite club? What is your favorite golf ball and why? 

A: The club that is in my hand while I’m hitting the shot is always my favorite.   Titleist Pro-V 1 for quality, distance and spin around the green. 

Q: What golf mentors have been particularly influential to you? What has been the most important thing you have learned from each of them?

A: I have several mentors from the 2016 Women’s Amateur that was hosted at Rolling Green.  Virgina Elena Carta (just graduated Duke), Emma Bradley (turned pro), Yuka Saso.   A local friend from New Jersey, Megha Ganne, a 15-year-old golf prodigy from the First Tee program, who I won the New Jersey Pro/Junior Amateur with.  Learning from losses and having fun.  This is a long journey in which you will have many highlights, unforgettable moments and many you wished you could start over but you grind it out.   So many great influences on the course and off and supporting each other.   Instagram keeps us all connected. 

Q: What is your favorite hole at your home course, Rolling Green, and why? 

A: My favorite holes are Nos. 7 and 17 at Rolling Green because they are par 5’s and great birdie opportunities. I enjoy time spent at Pinehurst, N.C. as well. My favorite hole is the ninth at Pinehurst No. 2 – it is one of the hardest par 3’s I’ve ever played, but it’s a beautiful hole. 

Q: What is your favorite golf course and why?

A: One of my favorite golf courses I had the opportunity to play was Monterey Peninsula Golf Club but  I can’t forget the experience I had at Poppy Hills, as I qualified for the USGA Girls Junior Amateur. But I have been and putted on 18th at Augusta for Drive, Chip & Putt, that would also be one of my favorites.  I have so many on my list to explore along with a trip to Ireland with my Dad for 2020.

Q: Who is your favorite golfer and why? 

A: Bryson DeChambeau.  Such a great player and a role model. At Augusta when I was there for the Drive, Chip, and Putt, I was on the driving range and I just walked up to him and he was with all his coaches and he just took off his hat and introduced himself to me and we started talking. He was very nice and wished me luck. He is also a great person off the course.  

Q: What is your favorite academic course at Lower Merion, and why?

A: I am excited to have such great teachers that make not so excited subjects fun. I find Social Studies and Science (Biology) very interesting but very time-consuming.  With all the days off due to Districts and holidays, I have only been in high school for less than two months but the homework is real.  I have been managing this crazy amount and keeping things on track.  

Fun facts – Sydney Yermish

Favorite book: The Match. 

Favorite TV show: Brookline nine-nine.

Favorite athlete: Bryson Dechambeau.

Favorite pre-round pump-up song: “I like country music in general but if I want to get hyped I’ll listen to pop.”

Favorite team: Patriots.

Favorite place to visit: Pinehurst, N.C.

Favorite pre-round meal: “The night before I have filet. Before the round and during it, I snack on berry RX bars and drink my Green Superfood with hydration mix.” 

Person I most admire, and why: “I admire Bryson Dechambaeu, and Lexi Thompson because there both great players, but more importantly, they’re both amazing people and role models off the course.” 

Family members: parents Bob and Dana, Jake and Charlie (“my fur babies”).

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)