Kilcrease helps golf team secure second state title

The golf team placed first out of 64 teams at the Golf State Championship in the 6A division. They had a total score of 460. Senior Grace Kilcrease represented her team in the Golf State Championship and was a State Medalist.

Kilcrease has been playing golf for four years and started her competitive career during her freshman year. Kilcrease loves the sport for several reasons including mental and personal aspects.

“One of my favorite things about golf is that you have to use your mind and think your way around a course,” Kilcrease said. “Golf also is an individual sport and you cannot hide from a mistake.”

According to Kilcrease, it’s necessary to put lots of effort into preparing for State in order to avoid making those mistakes. 

“I worked very hard before the State tournament,” Kilcrease said. “Before any big event, I am always practicing everyday on specifically my short game and course management.”

Kilcrease was more worried about enjoying the championship and playing well than winning.

“I approached the State Championship as any other tournament I would play in,” Kilcrease said. “I really wanted to cherish my last two rounds of high school golf, so I didn’t put too much pressure on myself.

The Golf State Championship was held Sept. 28-29. Senior Grace Kilcrease feels she played well, shooting 72 on the first day and 64 on the second. At Overalls she shot 74. Kilcrease feels confident after the win and is happy with the way she played.

“It felt really great to finally win the individual 6A state championship,” Kilcrease said. “I played OK the first day, shooting even par, but I had the round of my life the second day of 8 under par. It was a great way to end my senior year.

According to Kilcrease, her aspirations for winning State have been long-lived. She has had her sights on States for several years.

“When I joined the Ha-Ber golf team my freshman year, my goal was for us to win a state championship,” Kilcrease said. “We were an underrated team, but with a lot of hard work we became the best team in the State.”

Despite this being Kilcrease’s senior year of high school, her future will still involve her present team.

“I am going to miss this team next year,” Kilcrease said. “I will always continue to see how Har-Ber golf does in the future.”