13-year-old Jenna Kim takes on nation's best high school golfers at Pinehurst

At Pinehurst Resort this week you'll see some of the best young golfers in the country. The NHSGA High School Golf National Invitational girls division is taking place June 27-29. The boys play July 11-13.  Everyone who has qualified won their team or individual high school state championship.  Only one player is still in middle school.

"It's definitely challenging because they are bigger and stronger than me," Jenna Kim said. "It's easy to get discouraged, but I definitely learn a lot."

Kim is 13 years old and the only rising 8th grader in the field. She attends and plays varsity golf for Durham Academy. Her game is wise beyond her years.

"When my brother was really young he would take lessons and I would come along with him and eventually I wanted to start," Kim said. "My mom introduced me and I started lessons when I was about five."

With her mom Gina handling the additional coaching, Jenna got good fast. She competed in her first tournament at the age of six and started winning by seven. She is a member of the Briar Creek Country Club and has a golf simulator in her house. Her early success is the result of hours of practice.

"I practice for a few hours when I have school," Kim said. "In the summer I usually go to the range in the morning and play the course in the afternoon."

In 2021 Kim won the U.S. Kids World Championship at Pinehurst No. 5 for the 12 year old girls age group. In 2022 she won the 12-13 Drive, Chip and Putt competition at Augusta National.

"Winning on the 18th green with all those people watching," Kim said about playing at Augusta National. "It was an amazing experience."

Kim has dreams of qualifying for even bigger tournaments and playing golf in college. She's interested in turning pro or possibly becoming a doctor like her father. She believes you're never too young to dream big.

"As long as you practice a lot and you try your best," Kim said. "Every shot matters and you do your best you can do it."