.png)
Sidney Parmer never dreamt she would tie Gauck's record
(GREENSBURG, Ind.) – A Decatur County native who grew up at the golf course has just finished her college career tied with her hero.
Sidney Parmer has been going to North Branch Golf Course for as long as she can remember.
The first photo of her at the course was taken before her first birthday.
Through the years, she crafted her game while looking up to North Branch’s PGA Pro Angela Gauck, who is a former IHSAA Girl’s Golf State Champion.
It was Sidney’s sophomore year at North Decatur when she first considered playing golf in college.
“I was a three-sport athlete in high school and I just didn’t think I could be a normal student in college, I wouldn’t make it if I wasn’t in a sport,” she said.
She was considering the University of Evansville but her scholarship got pulled. That’s when she got help from some of her friends within the North Branch community.
Angela Gauck, along with Tara Lecher, both played golf at Marian University. They reached out to the head coach about Parmer.
Sidney got the opportunity to join the Marian team and quickly found out that college golf presented new challenges.
“It was the first time I was on a team as North Decatur didn't have one at the time. It wasn't about an individual score, but a team score. Also, it was different going from golfing three months out of the year to playing year-round,” she said.
It started to click midway through college when she received all-conference honors her junior year.
This past year, she earned the top individual spot at the TPC Deere Run Invitational in October and was also the champion of the Crossroads League Title earlier this month.
Parmer and her Marian teammates qualified for the NAIA National Championships which took place this past week in Illinois.
It would mark her final tournament as a college golfer.
Sidney admits that the first two days were difficult and it felt like she had never picked up a golf club before.
However, that changed when she realized this was the final opportunity she would have as a college athlete.
“The last two days I realized I just have 36 holes left in my college career, and nobody has any expectations of me. I just need to go out and play golf,” Parmer told The 812.
Parmer overcame the slow start, shooting 70 and a 69, and finished the tournament tied for 14th place overall, earning a spot on the NAIA Championship All-Tournament Team,
Her play tied a Marian record for 72 holes with a total of 305.
However, there was a much bigger accomplishment for Parmer.
Parmer tied her local hero, Angela Gauck, for the Marian program record.
“I grew up being amazed watching Angela and her swing still amazes me now,” she said. “It’s a crazy feeling to even compare myself to Angela and to live up to her legacy at Marian. I feel proud of myself that all of my hard work paid off,” Parmer said.
“Also, I didn’t even know I was close to the record, I found out when everybody else did that I tied the hero that I looked up to growing up,” Parmer added.
She says it is bittersweet that her college career has come to an end and will not miss the early morning weight sessions or the 12-hour bus rides. But she will miss the teammates and friends she has made along the way at Marian.
A NOTE FROM SIDNEY:
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to my parents, whose unwavering support has been my foundation. To my brother, for always being there and cheering me on.
To Grandma Cheryl and Grandma Phyllis, your love and wisdom have shaped me in profound ways. To my two watchers from above, Grandpa John for loving the game of golf and Grandpa Bill for reminding me to work hard.
A heartfelt thank you to Dee and Dan Kuneven, Tad and Angie, Cejay, Carson, Cooper, Charlie Parmer, Paul and Mary Ann Davidson and the rest of my family for their endless encouragement.
Special thanks to the North Branch Crew, including Ernie, Mary Lou, and Angela Gauck, Jeff, Marilyn, and Tara Lecher, and to Tom Stewart and Bill Cobler from On Target Golf Range, and Kelley Fegley, for your generosity and belief in me.
To the North Decatur community, Coach David Espinda and Debbie Reynolds for the years of support.
Lastly a special thanks to Coach Daniel Stanjevich and all my teammates, your collective support and guidance have meant the world to me, especially my roommates Mackendzie and Elizabeth, thank you for being my rock and companions on this journey.
