Kayla Brown grew up around golf. But it wasn’t until recently that she learned she could enjoy it, too.

“That (the mental aspect) is really where I’ve been working the last three years,” Brown said. “My dad’s got out and worked with me on it a little bit. Nothing’s really changed much in the physical aspect.”

The results have been impressive for the Beech Grove senior, who just missed qualifying for the state tournament in her first three years at the school.

Brown tied for second in the Marion County Tournament last week at Eagle Creek and was the medalist in the Indiana Crossroads Conference meet at Sahm Golf Course last Saturday.

“I think she’s totally enjoying her playing partner and her teammates this year,” Beech Grove coach Donna Hirt said. "This sounds kind of goofy, but she’s learning to enjoy the game of golf. She told me for years, ‘I don’t like it,’ and she was really stressed about it.

“Now, she’s out there enjoying the game. If it’s not a perfect drive or chip, it’s in her repertoire to come back.”

Brown grew up in a golfing family. Her parents have long been active in the game and two older brothers played at Beech Grove.

“I was kind of thrown into it,” she said. “If I wasn’t out playing on the golf course, I was watching the rest of my family.”

But Brown admits to having a bit of a perfectionist streak. It’s served her well in many areas. Academically, she’s third in her class. She also plays basketball and softball.

But in golf, that attitude can drive you crazy, she said.

“Even if you’re having a good round, there are holes that don’t go your way, and you get frustrated,” Brown said.

This year, Brown has tried to lessen that stress. It seems to be working. She shot 77 at the county meet, finishing four shots behind Roncalli’s Anna Gleixner, a top contender for the individual state title.

“She’s a harder worker than she is smart, and she’s real smart,” said Hirt, a guidance counselor at Beech Grove. “She’s highly organized, highly structured. She just works hard in getting what she wants out of life.”

In the long term, that’s to pursue a nursing degree in college.

In the short term, it’s to qualify for the state tournament after advancing to regionals three straight years.

“I feel good,” said Brown, who begins postseason play Saturday in the Mount Vernon Sectional at Old Oakland. “I think I’ve got a chance.”