Mark Mumford Makes The Leap Masterfully

– By Jim Byrne –

In just his second 18-and-under American Junior Golf Association competition, 15-year-old Rye High School sophomore Mark Mumford shot a 2-under-par 70 to win the Medicus Preseason Junior at Tapatio Springs Sunday, April 8, in Boerne, TX.

Not unlike the tough golf conditions the professionals had to endure at Augusta at the Masters, Mumford battled through cold conditions in Texas en route to his two-stroke victory. In fact, the first round of the event - held at the Tapatio Springs Resort & Conference Center - was cancelled due to freezing temperatures and sleet. Nevertheless, Mumford was able to come out on top of an 83-player field, which included competitors from 21 states, Australia, Canada, Mexico and Indonesia. The event was an 18-hole stroke play shotgun contest played out on a course that was 6,343 yards.

“To get that first win in an 18-and-under competition was great, and now I have a lot of confidence going forward,” said Mumford.

Mumford has played on the Garnets' varsity golf team since 7th grade, and has really hit his stride over the past 12 months. He qualified for the Met Junior and the Met Boys, finished first at the Westchester Country Club Junior Championship and medaled at the US Challenge Cup qualifier in September. Mumford continued his success with two wins and a second place finish at three 15-and-under events, and then moved up to play 18-and-under events, including the most recent Medicus Preseason Junior. The leap from 15-and-under competitions to 18-and-under ones is great, as Mumford was pitted against over 80 kids as opposed to the 10 to 20 in a 15-and-under event. Despite the odds, Mumford believed he could take the title in Texas. “I wouldn't have played if I didn't think I could win it,” he said.

Aside from playing with the Garnets, Mumford's next challenge will be at the Future Collegiates World Tour in Devens, Mass. There he will be taking part in the Red Tail Golf Open April 21-22.

In the future, Mumford would love to play collegiate golf at a Division I school.