Lehigh University Athletics
Profile on Lehigh golfer Jasmine Hughes
8/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
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By D Weaver
Of Suburban One Sports
Jasmine Hughes has a personality that’s custom-made for the golf course.
The Pennsbury senior recently won the girls’ division of the Suburban One League Tournament. She was unimpressed with her own success. On the flip side, Hughes’ response to a bad shot on the golf course is very similar – she is unfazed.
“To play golf, you need talent, you need skill,” coach Brad Sharp said. “But what’s more important than that is you need the mentality to play because there’s going to be a lot of highs and lows.
“Her mentality is perfect for the game. She never seems to get too down. She never seems to get too high. She just plays the game, and when she’s done, whatever it is - it is. Whether it’s a good day or a bad day, she just moves on.”
Hughes admits she has a mellow personality.
“I don’t take things too hard,” she said. “You have your good shots, and you should be happy, but you can’t get too happy because in golf you always have something else that happens. You have bad shots, but you always come back from them.
“There’s no point in getting down on yourself because you can’t change what already happened. It’s in the past. I play every shot like it’s a whole different round.”
Throw in a whole lot of skill with Hughes’ even temperament, and you have the ingredients for success.
The Pennsbury senior, who finished seventh in the District One Tournament, advanced to the PIAA Tournament with her two-over-par 74 in this week’s Eastern Regionals - good enough for a fourth place finish. It is the second consecutive year she has earned a berth in states.
“Going to states is pretty much what the whole high school season is about,” she said. “That’s what everyone’s goal is, and it’s exciting to get there.”
Hughes has won two of the last three SOL titles, winning gold as a sophomore as well. Last year, her close friend and teammate Laura Schiavo won the league crown.
“It’s all about confidence,” Sharp said. “If you have confidence – no matter how bad the last shot was, you’re going to excel, and that’s what she does. Even if she hits a bad shot, she doesn’t let it bother her. She moves on, and she’s just very consistent.”
Hughes has been involved in sports since she was a youngster. She played both basketball and soccer and competed in track. She continues to play soccer outside of school.
Golf entered the picture when Hughes was six years old.
“My dad played, and I would go out with him and just follow him around,” she said of her father Jeff Hughes. “Eventually, I started bringing my clubs and hitting a few balls.”
Hughes became involved in the Greater Trenton Junior Golf Program, and one thing led to another.
“Golf was different than the other sports,” she said. “It was more individual, and you really had to count on yourself. You had to focus more, and it was relaxing to spend a few hours outside hitting golf balls
“I like running, I just like being outside. I like all sports, but golf is the one I picked because I enjoyed it the most.”
Hughes had the lowest scoring average on her team this season, and she is captain of Pennsbury’s co-ed squad.
“It’s been very interesting, but it’s fun,” she said of playing on a team comprised mainly of guys. “I like playing with them – they’re all good guys, and I have a lot of close friends on the team, so it’s definitely been a good experience.”
And what has she enjoyed most about playing high school golf?
“All the friends I’ve made on the team – that’s something I’ll never forget,” she said. “It’s definitely a good opportunity to meet people. You spend every day for two months with those people. That was a good experience. And my coach – he’s probably one of the best coaches you’ll ever find.”
Hughes also excels in the classroom, and the honors student plans to major in psychology with an interest in pursuing a career in child psychology.
“I love working with kids and just helping people – two things I really like to do,” she said. “Golf is something I definitely want to do – looking at academics first and then golf.”
Hughes will compete in several tournaments during the offseason, but for now, she is concentrating on a strong finish at the state tournament.
“She has a great attitude and has been my most consistent player for the last three years – boy or girl,” Sharp said. “She’s a great girl.”
This story originally appeared in Suburban One Sports.
