Pembroke Hill sophomore India Gaume named Kenneth Smith Award winner

On a Joplin, Mo., golf course in mid-October, Pembroke Hill sophomore India Gaume won the Missouri Class 1 state tournament, and afterward, she promptly called it the perfect way to cap a season of firsts.

Until she added one more new experience Wednesday.

Gaume was selected the first sophomore winner of the Kenneth Smith Award, an honor presented since 1999 to the Kansas City area golfer who best demonstrates excellence on the course, in the classroom and through community service.

“She is an exemplary young woman — both on and off the golf course,” Pembroke Hill golf coach Andi Wolfe said. “Indie is a favorite on our team. She has a remarkable work ethic, and she is a true team player (who) genuinely wants her team to succeed.”

Gaume’s impact on the golf course was evident. She had a perfect postseason run, winning her Missouri Class 1 district and sectional tournaments before her two-day total of 150 won the state meet.

“All I wanted to do this year was win a state championship,” Gaume said after that mid-October round was completed. “I had been thinking about that since I was 7 (years old).”

She reached that goal while maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade-point average at Pembroke Hill, where she serves as her class vice president. Gaume has also exceeded 100 hours of community service, the benchmark to earn The President’s Volunteer Service Award.

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 8:00 PM with the headline "Pembroke Hill sophomore India Gaume named Kenneth Smith Award winner."