East County Athlete of the Week: Emily Storm

Emily Storm is a rising junior girls golfer who attends Lakewood Ranch High. Storm has finished in the top 20 of six straight tournaments played in April and May, including a 19th-place finish (80-82—162) at the Florida Junior Tour's Golf Road Junior Major tournament, held May 29-30 at Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach. Storm will next play in the 2024 Florida State Golf Association Girls Junior Championship, held June 27-29 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair. 

When did you start playing golf?

My dad (Gene Storm) got me into golf at a young age. I was 3 when I first picked up a club and I have been playing ever since. It has been a whole rollercoaster. 

What is the appeal to you?

I love the competition and the feeling of winning. It is an adrenaline rush. When I win or I have a good round, I just want to keep going. It has also helped me evolve as a person with things like discipline. That has helped me outside of golf, too, with keeping schedules for practice and for workouts. It keeps me in check. 

What is your best skill?

Putting and chipping. My short game was weak for a while and needed to get better, so I practiced it a lot and it helped. I get less three-putts and more up-and-downs now. 

What have you been working to improve?

Using my irons and hitting more greens in regulation. It makes putting easier. I'll lower my score if I’m closer to the hole. It cuts down on mistakes. 

What is your favorite golf memory?

I got a hole-in-one at the Chicago Highlands Club (Westchester, Illinois) when I was 10. It was hole No. 4, 107 yards, during a PGA Junior League event. I was just happy. My mom (Bee Nguyen) was there, and so were a few local pros. It was nice to have those people there and get their approval. 

What are your expectations for the Girls Junior Championship?

Hopefully I can win it. I have never played at Pelican but I saw an LPGA Tour event there and I'll play a practice round before the tournament. My goal is to shoot in the low 70s and have no three putts. I'm happy with how I'm playing right now, but like everyone else, I think I can always improve. 

What is your favorite food?

I'll say chicken Parmesan. 

What is your favorite movie?

"Central Intelligence," with Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson. 

What is your favorite school subject?

I like science, especially biology. I like learning about the world and the science behind it. 

What are your hobbies?

I like to work out and I like to play pickleball. 

What is the best advice you have received?

Drive for show, putt for dough. You can drive it 200 or 300 yards but you still have to putt well to win. 

Finish this sentence: "Emily Storm is …"

Outgoing.