Emmerson Hinds had a summer “Vacation” of her dreams. She played high quality golf and high quality golf courses. Now, she builds on the experiences as she looks to the future. Some fellow SNGA and former SNJGA members also had nice summers.
Hinds, Yana Wilson and McKenzi Hall (UNLV) each qualified and played in the U.S. Women’s Amateur. Wilson made it to the round of 16. Also, UNLV golfer Thienna Huynh made it through to the quarterfinals.
But for this article, our focus is on Emmerson Hinds, who is only 14 but made one of the biggest stages of amateur golf. Plus got to play one of the best country clubs in America and test her game against high-quality competition.
“The U.S. Women’s Amateur was definitely the highlight of my whole year and my whole summer,” said Hinds, just hours after arriving home from San Francisco where she played in another big event, the Underrated Tour Curry Cup at Lake Merced. “Being able to play at Bel-Air against all these incredible collegiate athletes was eye-opening and to be able to sharpen my game through competition was really incredible. And paying a championship course under championship conditions was very beneficial for my game. I definitely learned a lot considering I didn’t play my best golf. I learned that how difficult they set up these courses compared to junior events and it was another level. Being able to adjust to that in the future I think will really help me play better.”
Her father was on the bag as caddie during the Women’s Am. Hinds’ Dad, Byron, is the superintendent at Boulder Creek Golf Club.
“My dad and I have always been really close and I think golf is a big part of our relationship and it brings us even closer together,” Hinds said. “Having him on the bag was really great and we both just had so much fun. It was great to experience some things like that with somebody is so close to me.”
Hinds shot rounds of 81-79 at the Women’s Amateur and missed the cut. She finished tied for fifth at the Curry Cup.
“This summer was incredible,” Hinds said. “I got to play all these incredible courses and play against the best of the best and really good competition. The Curry Cup was also incredible. All the stuff they do for us is amazing and it’s like a family out there. Being able to see all these kids for the last time until next summer was definitely hard, but it was great to spend the whole summer with them again and I’m excited for next year.”
Hinds credited a lot of her success this summer to instructor Eric Meeks, who she has worked with for several years. Meeks operates his school of golf at Las Vegas Golf Center across from Town Square.
Now Hinds focuses back to the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association and her first year playing for Boulder City High School.
“The SNJGA is super supportive and playing in those tournaments is super fun,” Hinds said. “Being able to play with friends that I’ve known since I was little is always great. I just played in a team event with Madison Perez and that’s always fun because I’ve known her since I was eight. It’s always good to play with kids that you know that live around here.”
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