Lexington golfer on the road to pro stardom

First impressions are lasting and, boy, did Lauren Stephenson make an impact on Kevin Britt, one that stretches over 11 years and shows no signs of lessening.

“Wow” then, in their first practice session together – an 8-year-old’s introduction to the teaching professional – on training grounds at The Caddy Shak golf center in Lexington.

“Wow” now, after a storied junior career, her first collegiate season and on the eve of her biggest test yet, participation in the U.S. Women’s Open.

“Wow” in the future; he predicts in gauging her potential to succeed in both professional golf and life.

“A very competitive edge, real focus on the drills, wanted to beat everybody,” Britt says, recalling that first session in 2005 that is etched in his memory. “I knew from the get-go she could be something special.”

Sure, the landscape is littered with can’t-miss athletes who never reached expectations. But Stephenson has never wavered in her growth in golf and Britt, still her instructor, expects the upward spiral to continue.

After all, he offers his ultimate comparison for Stephenson with one of his former students: “She has the same characteristics as Dustin Johnson.”

Stephenson, 19, does not back away from the hype. “Competitive” might be her middle name, and she looks forward to her first test against professionals.

“Very excited,” she said in anticipating the championship at CordeValle in San Martin, Calif., a city south of San Jose. “This will be another step” toward her dream of playing on the LPGA Tour.

She is no stranger to challenges on the course. She competed against the best in the junior ranks, earned a berth in the U.S. Amateur prior to her junior year at Lexington High, found time to finish fifth and earn All-State honors in the Class 4A boys’ state tournament during her senior year in high school and qualified for the NCAA Championship in her just-completed freshman year at Clemson.

“Her playing against boys in high school and having success tells all you need to know about Lauren’s competitiveness,” Britt said. “Top 5 in the state (boys’) tournament on that long Furman course ... that’s pretty amazing.”

“Pretty amazing” has been Stephenson’s march to excellence in golf. Like many youngsters, she got her start going to the course with her dad. She fell in love with the game and her desire to excel took over. Outstanding performances came quickly and regularly, and her achievements include Rolex Junior All-America honors, lofty national rankings, appearances in three U.S. Junior Girls’ championships and representing the United State in the 2015 Toyota Junior World Cup in Japan.

She prepared for the Women’s Open working with Britt and doing what she does best – winning. She earned the title in the Women’s Eastern Amateur in what could have been a stressful week – she also announced her decision to transfer from Clemson to Alabama.

“Lauren is focused,” said Britt, who taught the game in the Columbia area for about 20 years before his recent move to head the junior golf program at the Country Club of Spartanburg. “She had a good freshman season despite all that went on” – reports of a “hostile” atmosphere that led to the firing of Clemson coach J.T. Horton.

“I just believe Alabama is best for me in terms of developing in golf and reaching my goals and playing professional golf,” she said, explaining her decision to transfer.

She gets a taste of the challenges of professional golf this week in the Women’s Open. She signed up to play a practice round with Lydia Ko, the world’s No. 1 women’s player and laughed at the incongruity.

“That might be weird,” Stephenson said. “We’re the same age and she’s a millionaire.”

Stephenson also hoped to meet Morgan Pressel, a pro she has admired through the years for both her golf and off-course activities.

“She has given back to the game,” Stephenson said.

Prior to arriving in California last weekend, Stephenson’s knowledge of the CordeValle course came from the generalities offered on the internet, but her experience in USGA events told her what to expect.

“The tournament is a national championship, so the course will be set up a bit different and more challenging,” she said. “We know it will be firm and fast with more rough, and we can expect a 200-yard par-3 at least one day. I’ll try to figure everything out, but I know it’s going to be a great experience.”

Stephenson toyed with the idea of turning pro this summer, “but there’s no rush,” she said. “There’s more to learn, and college should be the best four years of my life.”

Technology will enable her to keep in touch with Britt for golf instruction and her fall “education” will include an introduction to Alabama football. A Clemson fan “since I was a little girl,” she is not overly familiar with the Crimson Tide’s legendary program, she said.

That – lack of knowledge of Alabama football – might be her only weakness. There are none in her golf game, Britt said.

“Ball-striking has always been a strength,” he said. “She just keeps getting better and better, more consistent and stronger in the mental game. She’s a classy young person.”

That first impression is lasting.

This story was originally published July 6, 2016 at 7:08 PM with the headline "Lexington golfer on the road to pro stardom."