Valparaiso freshman golfer Gough starts off strong

Whether she's playing golf with the family or against other girls, Valparaiso freshman Jennifer Gough has a friendly outlook throughout the round.

That approach, however, doesn't limit her from remaining competitive on the course in either case.

Gough said she hasn't beaten her older sister Natalie or brother Joe just yet, but she has defeated her father Buzz once and tied him on another occasion.

Outside of gaining some family bragging rights, Gough has also faired quite well in other situations. The No. 2 golfer for the Times No. 2 Vikings, Gough carded a season-low 82 in just the second prep match of her career.

"I've learned that I can have fun out there and still go out there to win," Gough said. "I really believe that helps ease the pressure."

Gough started to play the game at age 7 and began competing in Indiana Junior Golf Association events a year later.

"I didn't want to start playing (competitively) just a year before I started high school," Gough said. "I'm not as nervous now for high school golf."

Gough shook off some nerves in her season-opening match at the Aberdeen Classic on Aug. 2 by dropping 12 strokes for an 82 at the Lake Central Invitational one day later.

"To come back and shoot in the 80s right away showed me something," Valparaiso coach Bill Miller said of the 5-foot-7 freshman. "She's an ideal player a coach can have. She has all of the shots."

Gough also possesses the proper demeanor.

"She also doesn't throw clubs or throw a fit," Miller said. "One round is not going to make or break her. She carries herself very well on the course."

And Gough works well with her teammates, including No. 1 Harley Dubsky. Dubsky competed at the U.S. Junior Championships this summer and was fifth at last year's IHSAA state finals.

"She's played in some major tournaments, so she knows what's going on," Gough said of Dubsky. "She helps build my confidence and keeps me positive."

Fellow freshmen Brooke Fullenkamp and Madison Macke also help out Gough.

"We're all in the same boat, learning how to go to school and then play or practice right after," Gough said. "I know they're going to be there for me."

But the building blocks come from her family. 

Gough said Buzz taught her almost all the aspects of the game, including the mental approach. She's also driven by her older sister's accomplishments. Natalie Gough is a 2007 Valpo grad who also played at DePauw.

"I've been able to gain confidence in my game," Jennifer said. "I think I'm doing pretty good so far."