Grace Summerhays first round of golf at Pebble Beach Golf Links brought back many memories. Grace Summerhays and her father, Boyd, played against Cameron and Preston after a fog delay in the morning. The match ended in a draw, which was fitting.
Grace’s round was made even more special by the fact that it served as a practice for the 78th U.S. Women’s Open. The historic championship that begins on July 6 will mark the first major women’s event to be held at Pebble Beach. This is where six previous U.S. Opens were played. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have won the Opens as well as Tom Watson, Tom Kite Graem McDowell, Gary Woodland, Tom Watson.
Grace, one 27-person amateur team member said: “I can’t believe it.”
Grace Summerhays isn’t Summerhays the first to compete in a U.S. Open during this summer. Preston Summerhays, the older brother, played in his second U.S. Open last month at Los Angeles Country Club. Preston and Grace both play collegiate golf for Arizona State. They have also spent time together practicing at Silverleaf Golf Club, Scottsdale, with former Sun Devil Jon Rahm. Rahm is the 2021 U.S. Open champion and 2023 Masters winner.
Boyd Summerhay, their father and coach is Tony Finau’s longtime teacher. Summerhays’ golf legacy extends beyond their immediate family.
Bruce Summerhays won three times on PGA Tour Champions and Boyd Summerhays’ younger brother Daniel played on the PGA Tour for eight years. Carrie Roberts is now the head coach at BYU and was the first Utahn-born woman who qualified for the LPGA.
Boyd is a former top-ranked Junior who played collegiately at Oklahoma State. He earned his PGA Tour Card in 2003, and has played the AT&T Pebbe Beach Pro-Am 3 times. Boyd is a fan of Pebble Beach, where he will be on Grace’s bag this week. Boyd cried when Grace won the 36-qualifier at Scottsdale. She will turn 19 on Championship Sunday.
Boyd said, “To share these moments, not as a teacher and coach, but as a father, is more than I could ever dream.”
Summerhays Family at Pebble Beach (courtesy Grace Summerhays).
Grace trained (from the exact same tees as her brother Preston) and brought a competitive, go-getter attitude to Arizona State. Coach Missy Farr Kaye describes Grace as fun and feisty.
Farr-Kaye said that Grace’s game was “a beautiful thing to observe.” “One of those things one wants to rub off to everyone.”
Preston, a 20-year-old golfer, said Grace’s greatest strength is her driving. Her swing speed is in the 90s and her ball speed is around 145 mph.
Boyd said, “She is very accurate and she makes great spinning wedge shots.” She can also putt.
Boyd said that Grace would be nervous but not intimidated. She became the youngest Utah State Amateur Champion in the 114-year event’s history at age 16. Grace graduated early from high school and joined the Sun Devils in 2022, midseason. She was ranked No. 1 in the spring season. She finished the spring season No. Junior champion, ranked ninth.
Grace recalled a period when she felt under pressure to match Preston’s success. Farr-Kaye understands how that feels. Farr-Kaye still struggles with it, and in fact walks by a life size statue of her older sister Heather every morning on the way to work.
Farr-Kaye said, “I understand what it is like to be expected to keep up with your older brother or sister.” It’s a losing fight.
We’ve had some great conversations about it. “Your journeys are meant to be different.”
The Summerhays clan is very close. Grace says that Preston is always teaching her something, especially when it comes short game. Farr-Kaye said that Grace doesn’t hesitate to take a chip, bunker or pitch shot.
Grace said of her relationship to Preston: “It is an amazing dynamic.” We’re both competitive and don’t want to lose each other. But we also want to do the best for the other.
Grace, a perfectionist by nature, said that her dad was able to separate his role as a father from that of a coach.
Grace noted that parents find it difficult to distinguish between junior golfers and amateurs.
What is the secret of their success?
Preston said, “We are really smart and hardworking.” “My dad raised us and has trained us to be really, really strong.”
Boyd is adamant about removing the pressure when it’s game time. Text threads are spiced up with phrases like Play free, You do great, You have so much experience and We are heading in the right directions.
Boyd said that he always texts his kids to tell them “I love you, I’m proud of you, and go play” before a competitive round.
“If they are as competitive as my children, they will be pumped up if they have invested as much time and effort as they have. You don’t have to do anything to make them more competitive.
“Kids should know that just being present is an accomplishment. As a parent, this is pretty special.”
