- August 12, 2026
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No matter how low or high a score she shoots, and how long or short the round may have been, Elianna Grace ends every golf tournament the same: in her father’s arms.
She always hugs Pat Grace after completing the 18th hole of her final round. It’s a loving tradition the two have shared for as long as he’s caddied for her.
On Aug. 1, after finishing the final U.S. Kids Golf event of her young career, she made sure to give him a tight squeeze.
The 12-year-old golfer from Lakewood Ranch placed third in her age-group division of the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. She carded a 9-under-par 207 by shooting 70 in her first round, 66 in the second and 71 in the third.
It’s the world’s largest junior golf tournament, and one of the most prestigious. Held from July 30 to Aug. 1 this year, it featured 119 golfers from 19 countries in the girls’ 12-year-old division. Only 16 of them posted a total score under par.
“It just means a lot to go up there every year and see some of my best friends that I don't ever get to see,” Elianna said. “My dad gets to caddy every year, and it's just a special tournament to go up and try to finish as best as you can playing against the best golfers in the world.”
This was her fourth outing in the tournament, which annually offers competition for boys and girls from ages 5-12. She made her debut in 2023 by tying for 13th place at 9 years old.
In 2024, Elianna dropped to 23rd place, but then made a considerable leap as an 11-year-old. She improved her score from 12 over par to six under par in 2025 — good for fourth place — as the venue changed from Southern Pines Golf Club to Pinehurst Resort.
She wound up six strokes behind six-time champion Bella Simoes of Boca Raton this year. Elianna wished she sank more putts in her third round, though she did reach the podium.
Her father has been on the bag at multiple points throughout her four-year competitive career.
“We always make sure that we're as prepared as we can be. We map the course before the rounds. We go out and play practice rounds. We talk through shots,” said Pat Grace. “It’s a lot of fun, and I get to be in the mix. I'm super competitive. She's super competitive.”
He’s the very reason she got into the sport. Elianna, who just began seventh grade at Florida Virtual School, would regularly accompany him to the practice range as a little girl.
She eventually wanted to try golf herself. At 4 years old, she picked up a club for the first time, and thanks to uncle Lucas Grace, started with a set of Nike clubs.
Softball had been her sport of choice. That changed as she began to favor the green of fairways over the green of outfields.
“Right when I started swinging, I fell in love with it,” Elianna said. “I asked my dad to take me out of softball so I could just play golf all the time.”
Her fast-growing love for the game was matched by her rapidly evolving skills. After about a year of experience, she became plenty comfortable with a driver in her hands.
Pat Grace was far from the only person to take notice.
“She was just striking drives, and women and men on the driving range are turning their heads and watching her,” he said. “It was like, ‘OK, this kid might have something here.’”
Across his years of caddying for Elianna, he’s closely watched her progression. Her goals have become increasingly ambitious along the way.
There was a time when she hoped to break 45 on the front or back nine of any given course. Now, it’s not uncommon for her to shoot six under par for a full 18-hole round.
Her mother, Lacey Grace, has come across more than a few people this year alone who were amazed by Elianna’s talents.
“My first thought that I always tell them is, ‘She works her butt off,’” said Lacey Grace. “She's out there every single day for hours practicing, so it's not luck by any means. She earns every trophy and every medal that she comes home with.”
All the little goals Elianna has set — and met, more often than not — during her competitive career are part of a greater vision.
Her ultimate goal, if achieved, could make her a household name just about everywhere.
“I want to be the No. 1 golfer in the world,” Elianna said. “So I just try to work as hard as I can and really try to get there.”
Four years of competition have generated several memories, but she does have a favorite. It was made Dec. 22, 2024, at the U.S. Kids Golf Holiday Classic in Palm Beach Gardens.
She won the girls’ 11-year-old division by one stroke over Simoes and Mia Heuberger with a 5-under-par 139. At first, she didn’t even realize her victory.
“After I made the final putt on 18, I went over to my dad,” Elianna said. “He said, ‘You won,’ and I didn't believe him. That was my first big win, so it really felt good.”
If she does achieve her goal of becoming the world’s top women’s golfer, odds are Pat Grace will be right by her side.
He’ll be ready for his next hug.
