By Cassie Honeycutt, Features Editor
Walking into school with a smile on her face, junior Katherine Schuster came back from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 1A/2A Women’s Golf State Championship with another trophy – and even more fans.
“First Flight is very, very supportive, and I love that,” Schuster said. “Every class I have been in (Wednesday) stood up and clapped for me. It was very sweet. I’m not much of an attention person, but I’m not going to lie – I kind of liked it.”
With so much pressure to win the championship for the third time in a row, Schuster steadily prepared both physically and mentally.
“I have been going to The Pointe every day,” Schuster said. “Coming into this tournament, I was a little bit nervous, to be honest with you, because I felt and put the pressure on myself.”
The pressure mounted in the first 10 minutes of the championship at Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines. Starting from the 10th tee, Schuster opened her first round with a double-bogey – two shots over par – but was determined to turn it around.
“I was a mess. I was a little worried,” Schuster said. “I have been in that situation before where I make a double or a triple and I can come back from it because it gives me something to work back to. I knew if I kept playing my game I could get at least back to even so I can dominate on the front nine.”
Schuster got one shot back with a birdie on the 16th hole, but two more bogeys and a birdie on No. 9 – her finishing hole – put her at 2-over-par for the day with just a two-shot lead over Logan Madison of Hayesville.
“I was only leading by two and I was nervous,” Schuster said. “So my mom and I watched a couple of movies and ate popcorn, just to get my mind off of it.”
On the second day of the championship, Schuster felt comfortable thanks to the support of some familiar faces, including former Principal Tim Albert – who was on hand for the last two championships – and new Principal Chuck Lansing.
Schuster dominated during the second round, opening with three birdies on the back nine to open up a comfortable lead. Even with bogeys at the sixth and seventh holes, Schuster had nothing to worry about at No. 9: She had a plan and all she had to do was execute it.
“I drive the ball about 250 yards, so it was an easier hole for me,” Schuster said. “I expected myself to birdie the hole because I can drive the green and then two-putt and then it’s a birdie.”
With a score of 1-under-par 71 in the second round – the only subpar score of the tournament – Schuster claimed her third straight title, this one by eight shots. With three wins under her belt, Schuster already is hearing questions about winning a fourth state championship. She would only be the second girl in North Carolina history to win four times in a row: Jennifer Chang of Athens Drive High School accomplished the feat from 2014-17.
“I probably won’t worry about it until next year because it will be here before you know it,” Schuster said.
Next year’s championship will be held at Foxfire Golf & Country Club, which Schuster is no stranger to. That’s where Schuster won last year’s title. If she can manage the feat of winning that fourth championship, expect even more applause when Schuster walks through the doors next year.
“I don’t know if I am showing it as well as I want to, but I am very very grateful for everybody’s support around the Outer Banks and school,” Schuster said. “I hope to keep you guys proud and keep doing my best.”
Junior Cassie Honeycutt can be reached at 21honeycuca35@daretolearn.org.
