Mia Hammond, a 17-year-old senior in high school from New Albany, won the Greater Toledo Classic last month. It is highly unusual for an amateur of any age to win against the professionals, let alone a high school senior.
However, Mia Hammond is not your average teenager. This was her second time playing in a women’s professional tournament as she was given a sponsor’s exemption into the 2023 LPGA Dana Open held at Highland Meadows. At the time she was a 15 years old and not only made the cut, but finished in 26th place. She was competing against the best women golfers in the world and held her own.
Mia competes in American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) events and has three wins, plus multiple top 10 finishes. As 14-year-old she won her age division in the Drive, Chip & Putt Finals held at Augusta National Golf Club. In 2023, as a Freshman, she won the Individual title in the Girls Division 1 Ohio High School State Championship held at the Ohio State University Golf Course.
In addition, she finished fourth in the 2023 South Atlantic Women’s Amateur Championship (The Sally) one of the most prestigious women’s amateur tournaments in the country.
Mia was named USA Today National Girls Golfer of the Year, in 2024. She currently has plans to continue her education after high school and has verbally committed to play golf at Duke University.
Her win against the professionals should strike fear in her rivals as she will begin her final year of high school golf this fall.
This year the Greater Toledo Classic was a combined EPSON & Legends Tour event. For the first time ever a former winner on the LPGA and now a member of the LPGA Legends Tour was paired with two EPSON tour players throughout the tournament.
Angela Stanford won the Legends portion of the tournament. Laura Diaz claimed second place while two World Golf Hall of Fame members, Karrie Webb and Juli Inkster, shared third. The Greater Toledo Classic was the perfect tune up for the Legend Tour players who are preparing for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open this month at San Diego Country Club, August 21-24.
