Fitch Girl: Diamond In Boys' Golf Team Rough

Fitch High senior Albrianna Farnum's golf career started by accident 10 years ago at age 8 when her father, Michael, was invited to play a round of golf by a friend.

"My Dad couldn't find a babysitter so he brought me along to walk around the golf course," Farnum said.

On one hole, the adults let Albrianna hit off the tee.

"I drove it 100 yards right down the middle of the fairway," Farnum said. "It was the first time I ever hit a golf ball on a course. They were shocked, but I guess you can say the game came naturally to me."

Unlike many top scholastic golfers who groomed their games at country clubs and were taught by parents or relatives who were experienced players, Farnum's golf beginnings were humble. However, she developed quickly enough to win girls' junior tournaments by age 9 and honed her game as a young teen at summer camps at Lake of Isles in North Stonington.

The golf anti-prodigy is now the pride of the Fitch High boys' golf team, the No. 1 player on a rebuilding and winless squad, and one of the best girls' golfers in New England. A two-time All-State girls' golfer, Farnum won the Wildcat Invitational Monday in Norwich, the first of what she hopes is a string of tournament triumphs in her senior year.

"It would be nice to have a winning team, but I still have to take care of my game," Farnum said. "When you come down to it, golf is what you do as an individual. It really doesn't matter if I'm playing against a boy or a girl. It's me against the course."

Fitch golf coach Glen Graham views Farnum, an honor roll student and former member of the marching band, as a shining light in an otherwise frustrating season.

The Falcons graduated most regulars after posting a winning record last year. Graham called the Groton Parks & Recreation Department to search for names in past youth programs to try to stir up interest, but only nine tried out. Still, Farnum's presence gives great meaning to this season.

"Albrianna leads by example and is a great captain," Graham said. "She leads by going to the driving range, working on her pitching and putting. She's the only one who really stays focused. The other kids are young and have to learn to manage their game. It's positive that the kids see how good she is and respect how much hard work and effort she puts into it."

The 5-foot-3 Farnum hits from the white (men's) tees during matches, so she isn't cut any slack. Though he's usually the smallest No. 1 player and the only girl among Eastern Connecticut Conference top golfers, she's won or tied for the medalist (lowest score) in four of Fitch's eight matches. She averages around a 41, about five over par, for nine holes.

Farnum is capable of shooting par (72) over 18 holes - a top achievement for a boy or girl golfer.  She showed that last July while winning the Connecticut Women's Golf Association Junior Championship, shooting a par 72 after opening with an 85, while struggling with foot blisters, at Tumblebrook Country Club in Bloomfield. She shot an 82 while finishing 10th at the New England Scholastic Championships last year.

Unlike Fairfield County girls who play on female teams and drive from shorter women's distances all season, Farnum adjusts from playing on men's tees during an ECC season.

"She's capable of shooting even par," Graham said. "She's used to playing from the white tees, so she has to dial it back a bit in female tournaments and use better course management. It's tough for Albrianna, because while she hits long, she doesn't hit it as long as the guys. She just has to stay within herself in our matches. When she plays against the girls, it's a lot less stress on her."

Farnum's hard work has paid off. She has received an offer to play Division I golf at Central Connecticut State University.

"Landing a college golf scholarship has always been my goal and I achieved it," Farnum said. "Now I want to finish my Fitch career on top, making All-State for the third year and All-New England."

She evokes memories of former Falcon female golf sensation Jessica Steward, who enjoyed a standout collegiate career at Boston College and the University of Miami before graduating in 2008. Steward, currently the coach at Division I Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne, was the No. 1 golfer for Fitch's boys and the New England girls' champion just about the time Farnum picked up a club for the first time.

"My career started as a fluke," Farnum said. "Now you can't get my off the golf course. I can't get enough of the game now."