By Josh Claywell
MaxPreps.com
ÿ
Playing any sport with a heavy heart is never easy. Just ask Franklin County junior Jamie Harp.
ÿ
Just two days removed from losing one of her older sisters, Harp led the Franklin County girls' golf team back to a familiar place - the state tournament.
ÿ
Harp shot an 80 and the Lady Flyers finished second to West Jessamine at the 7th Region Golf Tournament. Harp's 80 was good enough for a sixth-place finish.
ÿ
West Jessamine is the defending region champion and finished runners-up in the state tournament last year.
ÿ
On Saturday, Harp's sister Lindsey was a victim of the recent floods that hit the Bluegrass State. Lindsey and a friend were swept away by the flood waters near the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
ÿ
Harp, a 1999 graduate of Franklin County and member of the 1996, 1997, and 1998 state tournament teams, was 25.
ÿ
Jamie Harp, a 16-year-old junior, didn't decide to play in the tournament until Sunday morning. It's a good thing she did, because for the first time in three years, the Lady Flyers are going back to state as a team.
ÿ
"I didn't really know until Sunday morning," Harp said. "The only thing keeping me from playing today was the visitation."
ÿ
Lindsey's visitation was all day Tuesday in Frankfort and the funeral will be held today.
ÿ
Losing a family member is never easy, but for one day Harp and the rest of the Franklin County golf team was able to set aside their emotions and play for Lindsey.
ÿ
Harp was able to overcome her emotions, showing just how strong a person she really is. Lindsey would have wanted her to play, no matter what, and Jamie wasn't about to let her big sister down.
ÿ
"Jamie's round was remarkable," Franklin County coach Drex Davis said.
ÿ
Coaches and players wore heart-shaped patches with the letter "L" in the middle in tribute to Lindsey. Businesses in Frankfort had flags lowered to half-staff throughout the weekend in her memory.
ÿ
Jamie Harp now turns her attention to the state tournament, which will be held in Bowling Green next week. Her performance will be dedicated to her sister.