Gutsy, scrappy and gamer.
Those are three of the words Lake Mary Prep girls golf coach Mike Jamison used to describe sophomore golfer Lilliana “Lilly” Ford.
After tearing her ACL in the spring of 2024 as an eighth grader and missing her entire freshman year, other words that fit her are grounded, mature and a mentor.
The knee ligament was torn during PE class on April 5, 2024 while playing lacrosse. It was an illustration of a couple of Jamison’s descriptive words.
“We were playing girls versus boys in lacrosse and there were only four girls, so I was playing very aggressively and stepped in a hole the wrong way,” Ford said. “I thought it was fine until after school when I was hitting (golf balls) on the range.”
Surgery occurred two weeks later, and about 10 months of physical recovery followed.
That meant not golfing in summer tournaments or in the fall for the Griffins after she competed in the Class 1A state finals for them as an eighth grader.
“It was a tough summer; I wanted to play all these tournaments, and I qualified for the Notah Begay (Junior Golf National Championship),” she said. “But I decided I wasn’t going to focus on what I can’t do, and instead on what I can do.”
Ford wanted to be a mentor for younger golfers by volunteering for First Tee (national youth golf organization) and U.S. Kids Golf.
Then, when the high school season arrived, she was still part of the team in spite of the injury.
“She was a team manager, almost like another assistant coach, and was there for every match,” Jamison said. “She’s so energetic and she lifted our team spirits.”
This season, Ford continues to lift the team, but with some good golf added to the mix.
She’s ranked 43rd in the iWanamaker.com Florida high school girls rankings. Her Lake Mary Prep team is ranked fifth.
Ford shot 1-under-par 71 for the Griffins in their runner-up effort on Wednesday in the Class 1A District 6 tournament at Royal St. Cloud Golf Links.
She will not be playing in next week’s regional because she gets to play in the Notah Begay event that she missed last year.
Ford qualified for the tournament in Louisiana after winning a qualifier on Sept. 27-28 at Mission Inn’s Las Colinas Course, which will host the FHSAA state finals in two weeks with Ford rejoining the Griffins.
“I don’t want to bail out on my team, and I would have played the regional if coach wanted me to,” she said. “Coach gave me his blessing, and I’m happy for the girl (eighth grader Maddie Murphy) who’s getting a chance to play in a tournament.”
It’s another example of Ford’s maturity after a year away from playing.
“I used to get angry at bad shots, but now I’m more grateful to be playing the game and it’s reinforced my love for the game,” she said. “Just embrace what life throws at you and handle it.”
Ford’s 71 at district tied for best on the team with Qdoba individual champ Charlize Peterson with the team shooting 291.
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Circle Christian had a record-setting day, with four players under par for a 271 total. Ana Boone was medalist for the Centurions with a 65. 2. Isabella Dovhey shot 67 and Angelina Pacheco 68.
According to Circle Christian coach Allyson Kotes that was the lowest 18-hole girls score in program history.
“It was exhilarating,” Kotes said about watching the Wednesday performance. “Their talent is exceptional, but it was the sense of peace they played with that set them up for success. The team approached district with a great love and support for each other, and it showed in their accomplishment.”
Records were the theme for multiple Orlando area teams. .
Bishop Moore’s boys posted a school-record 271 in winning 2A District 6 at The Country Club of Mount Dora (par-70). Jack Mokris was the individual winner with a school record 62.
In 3A-6 at Royal St. Cloud Golf Links (par-72) the St. Cloud boys set a school and county record with 274.
In the final district meet of the week on Thursday after weather postponed it on Monday, Montverde Academy won its first boys district title since 2012 with 279 at Stoneybrook West Golf Club (par-72). Windermere Prep was second at 290, led by medalist Santiago Navarro’s 5-under-par 67.
Regionals start on Monday with 3A Region 2 girls at Royal St. Cloud, which includes reigning state champ Lake Nona. The 3A-1 boys meet is at Twin Rivers Golf Club.
Tuesday’s slate includes 3A-2 boys at Royal St. Cloud, 3A-1 girls at Hawkstone Country Club, and 1A-2 girls at Seven Springs.
Wednesday’s meets are 2A-2 boys at Dubsdread and 2A-2 girls at Royal St. Cloud.
Varsity content editor Buddy Collings can be contacted by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.