Father Ryan's Ella and Eva Graham carrying on family's golfing legacy

It has been 65 years since former U.S. Open champion and three-time Ryder Cup team member Lou Graham and his brother Marty helped lead the Father Ryan boys golf team to its last state golf title in 1953.

The Irish failed to qualify for this week’s TSSAA Division II-AA team championships, but the 1956 Father Ryan graduate still has reason to follow the action Monday and Tuesday at WillowBrook Golf Club.

Lou’s grand-nieces, Ella and Eva Graham, will be among the 21-player field competing for an individual state championship in Manchester. Lou, who won an individual state title at Father Ryan in 1956, said he hopes to attend this week’s tournament if the weather cooperates.

“It was really cool because my dad (Steve) told us Uncle Lou had called and had congratulated us for making it to state,” said Eva, a senior who’ll be making her second state tournament appearance. “He’s such a legend around here that it’s cool he still keeps up with us when we play golf.”

Ella and Eva's father, Steve Graham, who golfed at Father Ryan in the late 1980s before going on to play at MTSU, won the 1990 Tennessee State Amateur Championship. He is currently the golf director and teaching professional at Champions Run Golf Course in Rockvale. He also serves as coach to PGA Tour member Ricky Barnes.

Lou, who is 80, admits he’s not that familiar with his grand-nieces' golf games. He did, however, give a short lesson to the Father Ryan’s boys and girls golf teams earlier this season. In fact, Ella, a sophomore, might not be making her state tournament debut if not for that practice session at Richland Country Club.

“He did short game and pitching with us,” Ella said. “Since then I have probably shaved five strokes off my score. He changed my life.”

Added Eva: “He doesn’t hit it really good now because he’s older. He still makes all his putts.”

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-259-8026, and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.