Episcopal Academy’s Lauren Jones is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The senior golf captain finished first at the Inter-Ac Individual Golf Championship May 12, and was the league’s leading scorer this spring. As a freshman, she defeated all of the top players in the Inter-Ac in head-to-head play and was a vital part of EA’s Inter-Ac titles, receiving All-Inter-Ac honors three times. She will play golf next fall for the University of Richmond.
Q: Your first-place finish at the Inter-Ac Individual Golf Championship at French Creek was your best score of the season. What was the key to your round?
A: All the components of my game were sharp as I hit 5 of 6 fairways and 8 of 9 greens in regulation. I knew I had a two-shot lead on the final tee, so before I hit my final tee shot, I thought to myself “just par the hole” and that is what I did. It was a wonderful way to end my high school career at EA.
Q: What was the biggest challenge for you in keeping your game in shape during the COVID pandemic lockdown, and how did you meet that challenge?
A: The biggest challenge for me during COVID was when all the courses in Pennsylvania were shut down and I had nowhere to play holes or practice at a range. I would go in my backyard and hit chip shots into my brothers’ lacrosse net and practice my putting with a putting mat in my kitchen. Strength and conditioning is also a key factor for golf as well, so when my gym shut down that was a challenge as well. However, I continued to do workouts however in my basement to stay fit.
Q: What part of your game do you consider strongest? What aspect of your game are you working on the most currently?
A: Driving the ball off the tee and hitting my irons into the greens is definitely the strongest part of my game. Right now I am focusing on my short game, especially my lag putting.
Q: You’ve been the leading scorer for the EA golf team since 7th grade. What (in your opinion) has been your most memorable round for EA – can you share your memory of it with us?
A: The most memorable round for me was in 2018 at Philadelphia Country Club when we beat Agnes Irwin to win the Inter-Ac for the first time in EA girls’ golf history. I played really well that day and shot 36. Agnes Irwin had a lot of good upperclassmen on their team that year and I remember being really nervous being a freshman. I had been working really hard on my game leading up to that match because I knew what a victory would mean, so it was really nice to play well and get the team a win.
Q: What is your favorite club? What is your favorite golf ball and why?
A: My favorite club is either my 9 iron or my driver. I hit my 9 iron 135 yards and my driver around 260 yards. My favorite golf ball is the Taylor Made TP 5. I like the way they land on the greens and I can spin the ball. I feel most comfortable with standard size golf grips.
Q: You’ve compiled a fine record in tournaments outside of EA. What has been your most memorable golf experience outside of EA – can you share it with us?
A: My most memorable golf experience outside of EA was qualifying for the USGA Jr Girls Championship. The USGA Jr Girls Championship is the ultimate golf tournament for junior girl golfers around the world. It is highly competitive to qualify as there are only 144 spots. I shot 73 at The Steel Club in Bethlehem, to qualify and was so excited to travel to Wisconsin and play at the Sentry Club. It was an awesome experience. The golf course was in spectacular condition and it was wonderful to compete against the most accomplished junior girl golfers in the world.
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: My biggest golf mentor has been my swing coach John Dunigan. I started working with him when I was in 7th grade and he has helped my game develop in every way. Whenever I have a tournament coming up he tells me to “win every shot.” Every time I step up to the ball to hit a shot, I think to myself, “win every shot.” Coach Dunigan always reminds me that golf is supposed to be fun and that we are always lucky to step out onto the course. This is always such a good reminder heading into tournaments with the competitive nature of junior golf. My parents have also been very influential to my golf game. They introduced me to the game when I was very young and my mom put me in tournaments when I was in 8th grade. I loved playing and competing and my parents recognized that. My Mom loves watching my tournaments during the summer and taking me all over to compete.
Q: What is your favorite hole at your home course, Merion Golf Club, and why?
A: My favorite hole at Merion is No. 18. I love stepping up to the tee and knowing I can bomb a drive straight down the fairway. Walking up the 18th fairway you get a perfect view of the clubhouse and the big American flag to the right of the green.
Q: What is your favorite golf course and why?
A: My favorite golf course is Pinehurst No. 2. I played it for the first time last summer in the North and South Junior tournament. The greens are very tricky and you have to hit very precise tee shots and iron shots. It was awesome walking down the fairway and thinking of all the history that has happened at Pinehurst.
Q: Who is your favorite golfer and why? Is there a golfer whose game you try to pattern your game after?
A: My favorite golfer is Jordan Spieth. I love watching his swing and the way he aggressively putts. I admire how hard he has worked to return to his high level of play after he had slipped in the rankings and had not won a tournament for over three years. Golf is a difficult game, with many highs and lows and it is so important to stay positive and continue to work hard.
Q: What do you think you would like to major in at the University of Richmond? Is there a particular career field that interests you at the present time?
A: As of now, I would love to be a teacher, so I am thinking of majoring in elementary education with a minor in leadership studies. I also really enjoyed my AP US government class this year so I could potentially see pursuing something in public policy.
Fun facts – Lauren Jones
Favorite book: Wonder R.J Palacio.
Favorite TV show: Greys Anatomy.
Favorite Movie: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.
Favorite Athlete: Jordan Spieth.
Favorite Team: Villanova basketball.
Favorite Place to Visit: Tucson, Ariz.
Favorite pre-round meal: Breakfast sandwich.
Family members: parents Ed and Loraine, sister Amanda (freshman at Wake Forest, and a member of EA girls golf team in 2018-2019 ) and brother Eddie (sophomore at EA.)
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
