For The Tribune

It takes a lot of concentration to be at the top of your game in most sports, and golf is no exception.

Seymour senior Hannah Thompson said that is one of the reasons golf is her favorite sport.

“I love my teammates; I love how you have to stay focused, and what it takes a whole 18,” she said.

Thompson moved into the No. 1 position for the Owls early last season and stayed there the remainder of the season, and is in the top spot again this season.

“The girls I play with are very good,” Thompson said. “I like playing with them because they keep me on pace. I know they’re going to play well, so I know I have to play just as well.”

Thompson said it is important to watch opponents hit and putt so you can see how the wind is affecting a ball or get a read on a putt.

She said that she adjusts to the conditions hole to hole.

“I think of each hole as a new hole, and I just have a new attitude,” Thopmson said. “In the morning your putting is fast, and then it slows down because all the water on it dries up. Every hole is a new hole.”

The Owls play their home matches at Shadowood Golf Course, and Thompson said she enjoys plaything there because she knows the course well having practiced there throughout her career.

She said the back nine is her favorite nine at Shadowood because she can score lower there.

Her favorite hole is No. 4.

“It’s a driveable par-4,” Thompson said. “If my drive is solid it will go right between the bunkers so I have an easy chip on or putt.”

Thompson said her favorite away course is Otis Park at Bedford, where she recorded her career low of 41.

“We played there so many times last year that you get used to it,” Thompson said. “It’s like our second home.”

The past two seasons, Thompson has qualified for the regional individually — but she deferred to a teammate in 2014 and didn’t participate in that competition.

On the schedule, Thompson has no preference between 9- and 18-hole competitions.

“I like tournaments because there are so many teams and a lot of different people,” Thompson said. “I also like the 9-hole matches because you get in and get out. They’re quick and easy.”

Thompson has played for three coaches in high school and has had different swing coaches.

In the winter, Thompson has played on the girls basketball team.

“My teammates and coaches make basketball amazing,” Thompson said. “They know I’m not the best, but they take me in. I try to bring a lot of energy even under the circumstances. I love the energy of basketball.”

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Name: Hannah Thompson

School: Seymour High School

Parents: Brad and Amy Thompson

Siblings: Nicole, Abby, Trevor and Zach

Sports: Golf, four years; basketball, three years; track and field, one year

Plans after high school: Attend Ball State University

Favorite food: Watermelon

Favorite TV show: “Grey’s Anatomy”

Favorite musician: Beyoncé

Favorite movie: “The Longest Ride”

Favorite team: Indiana University

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