Impact
Records
Kori Grasha
Clarence High School
Impact Statement
Grasha has led Clarence on and off the greens to over 130 wins.
Biography
Coach Grasha has the distinction of never losing a high school golf match during her time at Clarence High, which began in 2016. After a perfect 10-0 record last fall, Clarence has now won 130 straight matches over 12 seasons.
In addition to the win streak, Grasha led the program to its fifth straight Section VI championship. The team shot 399, which was 120 strokes better than the second place team. At the New York State Public High School Athletic Association state tournament, Clarence finished 3rd in the team competition.
Coach Grasha told WIVB-TV the streak has been fun, “It started becoming fun each year, to try to continue the undefeated seasons. The girls started to add it up — 80 wins, 90 wins, then we were pushing 100. It was, ‘Oh, we’re going to do something that probably hasn’t been done before.’ It was more fun than pressure.”
Grasha is the first New York coach to be named the NHSCA National Girls’ Golf Coach of the Year.
Photos
Ironwood Ridge High School
Coach Kautz has led Ironwood Ridge to three straight Arizona Division II state championships.
Ironwood Ridge won the tournament by 15 strokes after shooting 573 as a team.
Coach Kautz has led Ironwood Ridge to three straight Arizona Division II state championships.
Ironwood Ridge won the tournament by 15 strokes after shooting 573 as a team.
Doug Kautz
Ironwood Ridge High School
Impact Statement
Coach Kautz has led Ironwood Ridge to three straight Arizona Division II state championships.
Ironwood Ridge won the tournament by 15 strokes after shooting 573 as a team.
Biography
Coach Kautz has led Ironwood Ridge to three straight Arizona Division II state championships.
Ironwood Ridge won the tournament by 15 strokes after shooting 573 as a team.
In the Summer of 2021, Ironwood Ridge competed in the High School Golf National Invitational, which features state champions from around the nation. The Nighthawks finished 6th in the tournament in North Carolina.
Kautz, who has spent over 30 years as a teacher, loves the profession of coaching. He was honored as the National Federation of High Schools’ 2019-20 Arizona Golf Coach of the Year.
In addition, Kautz is the 7th grade girls basketball coach at Coronado.
Photos
Records
Harrisburg High School
”I think if you set your mind to anything you can do it. And when people aren’t cheering for you, you just have to tell yourself no-one’s cheering for me, I’m my own cheerleader and you can seriously do anything you put your mind to. You just have to be confident in yourself.”
”I think if you set your mind to anything you can do it. And when people aren’t cheering for you, you just have to tell yourself no-one’s cheering for me, I’m my own cheerleader and you can seriously do anything you put your mind to. You just have to be confident in yourself.”
Reese Jansa
Harrisburg High School
Impact Statement
”I think if you set your mind to anything you can do it. And when people aren’t cheering for you, you just have to tell yourself no-one’s cheering for me, I’m my own cheerleader and you can seriously do anything you put your mind to. You just have to be confident in yourself.”
Biography
Jansa closed-out her scholastic golf career with her second straight South Dakota AA individual championship. Jansa overcame a 5-shot deficit to win the two-day tournament that lifted the school to its first-ever team championship.
As a junior, set a state record with a score of 134, 8-under par. She won the tournament by 11-shots. Jansa began her varsity career in 7th grade. During her career, she was a state medalist four times.
She is the first golfer to honored SDGA Women’s Amateur and Girls Junior Championship in the same year.
Jansa is the first North Dakota athlete to win the NHSCA National Senior Girls’ Golf Athlete of the Year Award. She will continue to golf at the collegiate level at the University of Toledo.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Desert Hills High School
“They’ll stay in there and battle and battle all the way to the end to make sure they post the best they can for the team, even when they’re having a rough day.” -Laurie Dyer
“They’ll stay in there and battle and battle all the way to the end to make sure they post the best they can for the team, even when they’re having a rough day.” -Laurie Dyer
Laurie Dyer
Desert Hills High School
Impact Statement
“They’ll stay in there and battle and battle all the way to the end to make sure they post the best they can for the team, even when they’re having a rough day.” -Laurie Dyer
Biography
Last month, Dyer led her school to its ninth straight Utah Class state championship. Desert Hills won the state title by 32 strokes over second place Park City.
After eight straight Class 3A titles, the Lady Thunder moved up to Class 4A this season. Dyer is the only girls’ golf coach that the school has had since opening in 2009.
While Dyer and Desert Hills didn’t win a state title in ’09, it has every year since then. The school did win a regional championship though in 2009.
Dyer stepped down after the season.
Photos
Records
Plainview High School
Howard led her team to its third straight Oklahoma state title in the four years she’s been the head coach.
Howard led her team to its third straight Oklahoma state title in the four years she’s been the head coach.
Taylor Howard
Plainview High School
Impact Statement
Howard led her team to its third straight Oklahoma state title in the four years she’s been the head coach.
Biography
This past season Howard led her team to its third straight Oklahoma state title. This year’s state championship came at the 3A level after back-to-back wins in Class 4A. Over the last four years, Howard has also led the Lady Indians to a 29-5 record in matches.
Leading the charge to this year’s title was Reagan Chaney, who was also the state’s individual champ. Four Plainview golfers finished in the Top 10. Over the past four seasons, under the guidance of Coach Howard, the Lady Indians have had one player compete at the college level. There are two from the 2019 team that are headed to Oklahoma City University and Redlands.
Photos
Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Notre Dame Academy
“These accolades should go to the kids, they’re the ones that sacrifice. This is a thrill. I’ll let the kids know. It wasn’t Dave G., it was them.” – Dave Gianferante
“These accolades should go to the kids, they’re the ones that sacrifice. This is a thrill. I’ll let the kids know. It wasn’t Dave G., it was them.” – Dave Gianferante
Dave Gianferante
Notre Dame Academy
Impact Statement
“These accolades should go to the kids, they’re the ones that sacrifice. This is a thrill. I’ll let the kids know. It wasn’t Dave G., it was them.” – Dave Gianferante
Biography
Dave Gianferante’s Notre Dame Academy team won the 2014 Massachusetts team title, which was its 12th title in the last 13 years.
Prior to finishing fourth during the 2013 season, Gianferante’s teams had won 11 straight state titles while going 212-6 in team play that included 10 undefeated seasons and a 188-match win streak, which is the longest ever in high school girls’ golf.
Gianferante is listed third by the National Federation of High School Association’s all-time girls’ golf wins list with a record of 241-11.
After being honored and departing Notre Dame Academy, Gianferante was hired as the head coach for both the men’s and women’s golf teams at Pfeiffer University, his alma mater.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Barrington High School
“Do your best, represent your school with class and dignity, and make lifelong memories.” -Jodi Schoeck
“Do your best, represent your school with class and dignity, and make lifelong memories.” -Jodi Schoeck
Jodi Schoeck
Barrington High School
Impact Statement
“Do your best, represent your school with class and dignity, and make lifelong memories.” -Jodi Schoeck
Biography
Barrington High School head coach Jodi Schoeck, a member of the Illinois Coaches Association Hall of Fame, just completed her 26th season as the leader of the Fillies program.
She has guided the Fillies to 11 league titles and 12 Illinois regional titles Under Schoeck, Barrington has appeared nine times in the state finals. Schoeck’s 1996 team finished third in the state.
Since being honored, Schoeck and her Fillies continue to excel on the golf course. Her ladies finished second in the state the past three seasons. In 2018, Schoeck was named the NHSACA Coach of the Year.
Schoeck retired after the 2018 season after 32 years of coaching.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Asheville School
Kuehn has excelled on the green while at the Asheville School and has continued that success to Wake Forest.
Kuehn has excelled on the green while at the Asheville School and has continued that success to Wake Forest.
Rachel Kuehn
Asheville School
Impact Statement
Kuehn has excelled on the green while at the Asheville School and has continued that success to Wake Forest.
Biography
Kuehn won her third consecutive North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II state championship last fall. Kuehn won the tournament by one stroke, posting a two-day score of 138 (67 — 71).
Kuehn won the 2018 North Carolina Amateur Championship and is a three-time All-State honoree. She was honored by USA TODAY as a first-team All-USA member for the 2017-18 school year. Kuehn represented the Dominican Republic in at the 2018 World Amateur Team Championship in Ireland. Kuehn has accepted a scholarship to play golf at the University of Wake Forest, where her mom also played college golf.
In her freshman season that was cut short due to Covid, Kuehn finished with the best stroke average on the team with a 71.23. She won her first collegiate title at the ANNIKA Championships. She was a WGCA All-American and named to Arnold Palmer Cup US Team.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Germantown High School
“I’m pretty quiet but I just keep to myself and try to focus on my score, don’t worry about my past holes and everything.” -Presley Baggett
“I’m pretty quiet but I just keep to myself and try to focus on my score, don’t worry about my past holes and everything.” -Presley Baggett
Presley Baggett
Germantown High School
Impact Statement
“I’m pretty quiet but I just keep to myself and try to focus on my score, don’t worry about my past holes and everything.” -Presley Baggett
Biography
Baggett won her third overall Mississippi state championship during her senior season, winning the Class 5A championship by nine shots. She’s a four-time member of the All-State Girls’ Golf Team. In 2017 she won the Mississippi Junior Golf Association Girls’ Junior Championship.
Baggett has received a scholarship to play at LSU. Her coach there, Karen Bahnsen, said this about her signing, “I have never seen a player that wanted to play for LSU more than Presley.”
Her freshman year at LSU, she was named Louisiana Women’s Golf Freshman of the Year. She was the highest placing Tiger at the SEC Championships. She was also named to the All-Louisiana Team. Her sophomore year was cut short due to Covid, although she compete in fiver regular seasons events.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Summit High School
Madison Odiorne closed-out her scholastic career by becoming the first four-time state champion in Oregon.
Madison Odiorne closed-out her scholastic career by becoming the first four-time state champion in Oregon.
Madison Odiorne
Summit High School
Impact Statement
Madison Odiorne closed-out her scholastic career by becoming the first four-time state champion in Oregon.
Biography
Madison Odiorne closed-out her scholastic career by becoming the first four-time state champion in Oregon.
Odiorne won the Class 5A title with a record-shattering 140 over 36 holes, which was one shot off the all-classifications low score at the Oregon state championships. The mark broke her previous state record in the 5A championship by ten strokes.
In March, Odiorne won the girls’ 13-19 division at the Future Collegians World Tour event at the Silverado Resort and Spa in California. In 2014, she qualified for the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship. Odiorne will attend Washington State University.
Odiorne was named WGCA All-American Scholar as a junior. She played in multiple tournaments throughout her career.
Photos
Articles
Records
Personal Honors
Allen High School
Szeryk went on to set a NCAA record for 91 rounds of par-or-better golf.
Szeryk went on to set a NCAA record for 91 rounds of par-or-better golf.
Maddie Szeryk
Allen High School
Impact Statement
Szeryk went on to set a NCAA record for 91 rounds of par-or-better golf.
Biography
After finishing second once and third twice during her first three years of varsity competition, Allen High’s Maddie Szeryk captured the Texas Class 5A championship during the 2013-14 school year.
Ranked #9 by the AJGA, the Texas A&M recruit finished second as a sophomore and third as a junior and freshman. Szeryk shot 135 during the two-day tournament, which included a sizzling 65 on the final day of the tournament. Her gold medal performance also helped her school win the team title.
In May Szeryk qualified for the LPGA’s North Texas Shootout where she shot back-to-back 74’s before not making the cut. She also won the AJGA’s Thunderbird International Junior Tournament. Szeryk is the first Texas girls’ golfer to be honored by the NHSCA.
Szeryk had a brilliant career at Texas A&M. She was a the school’s first three-time All-American. Additionally, she was the first four-time All-SEC honoree in Texas A&M’s history. Szeryk set a NCAA career record with 91 rounds of par-or-better. She also topped the SEC with 32 top 10 finishes.
After graduating from Texas A&M, Szeryk is now playing professionally in Canada.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Charles City High School
Sindlinger becomes just the second four time Iowa State Champion in history.
Sindlinger becomes just the second four time Iowa State Champion in history.
Jessie Sindlinger
Charles City High School
Impact Statement
Sindlinger becomes just the second four time Iowa State Champion in history.
Biography
Jessie Sindlinger joined an elite club in May when she won her fourth straight Iowa state golf championship.
Sindlinger, who will attend the University of Iowa on a golf scholarship, shot a 65 at the Ames Golf and Country Club to become just the second four-time state champ in Iowa – and the first in over 50 years. Sindlinger qualified for the 2012 PGA Junior Championship.
As a Hawkeye, Sindlinger competed all four years. She was a leader both on and off the field. She graduated with a degree in Finance.
Photos
Articles
Records
Personal Honors
Altus High School
Blonien became the second Oklahoman golfer to win four state championships.
Blonien became the second Oklahoman golfer to win four state championships.
Megan Blonien
Altus High School
Impact Statement
Blonien became the second Oklahoman golfer to win four state championships.
Biography
Blonien became the second Oklahoma girl – and the first in 5A – in the 82-year history of the state tournament to win four individual titles.
Trailing two golfers by a stroke after the first round, Blonien rallied with the only sub-70 round shot by anyone in the tournament – a 3-under-par 67 – to take the title by three strokes. She shot 75-67-142. She had four birdies and one bogey in her final round, and needed only 27 putts. The only other four-time state champion was Lacey Jones of Idabel High School, who won four 4A titles from 2001-04.
As a freshman, Blonien shot a hole-in-one en route to a final-round 71 as she took her first title. The two-time defending Oklahoma Girls Junior state champion, Blonien also won the event’s Long Drive Contest in the 16-17 age group with a drive of 291 yards. Her final-round 72 made her the first Oklahoma golfer to win the Girls Open title in the 28-year history of the Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament last summer, a title she won by a record 16 strokes. Blonien also qualified for the match play portion of the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur. She will attend Oklahoma State University.
Blonien attended Oklahoma State for one year prior to transferring to Florida Gulf Coast University. As a junior, she was named to the Atlantic Sun Conference All-Tournament Team. Her senior year she earned First Team All-Conference. In addition, she also was named to the ASUN All-Tournament Team.
Photos
Records
Personal Honors
Chichester High School
Kan won Chichester High School’s first girls state championship in any sport by sinking a 12-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole.
Kan won Chichester High School’s first girls state championship in any sport by sinking a 12-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole.
Aurora Kan
Chichester High School
Impact Statement
Kan won Chichester High School’s first girls state championship in any sport by sinking a 12-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole.
Biography
Kan finished her career as the state champion in dramatic fashion. Holding a three-stroke lead after an opening-round 72, she needed to birdie the last two holes of the final round to salvage a 79 and force a three-way playoff. She won the school’s first girls state championship in any sport by sinking a 12-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole.
The state runner-up her sophomore and junior years, Kan also finished fifth in state as a freshman. She won three District 1 titles and a region title, and is a three-time All-Delco selection and a two-time Delaware County Daily Times Player of the Year.
The Purdue University commit also had a successful Junior season, winning the Pennsylvania Women’s Amateur Championship, the PGA Junior Series stop at Penn State University for the third time, and the CorseMax/Philadelphia Junior Runner, where she won a 15-stroke victory. She also qualified for the PGA Junior Championship and earned her third berth in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links advancing to match play.
While at Purdue, Kan had a successful career. In 2013, the Boilermaker team placed third at the NCAA Division I National Championships. Kan personally finished 15th. As a junior, Kan was named to the First Team All-Big Ten. In addition, she was named as an Academic All-Big Ten honoree as a junior and senior.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Torrance High School
Shin still continues to shine in the LPGA
Shin still continues to shine in the LPGA
Jenny Shin
Torrance High School
Impact Statement
Shin still continues to shine in the LPGA
Biography
Shin, a native of South Korea, won her second consecutive individual state championship last fall, shooting a one-under-par 71. As a junior she won her first title in a playoff after shooting 72, and she also finished 10th in state as sophomore and sixth as a freshman. She also helped Torrance win its third straight team title and fourth in five years.
Shin won the Los Angeles City Championship at the age of 10, and in 2006, at the age of 13 years nine months, she became the second youngest winner of the U.S. Girls Junior Championship. Down three holes in the final nine, she rallied and won the title on the first playoff hole. It was only her second-ever Girls Junior competition. Shin advanced to the finals of the Polo World Golf Championship in 2008, and is a three-time American Junior Golf Association Rolex First Team All-American. Last fall’s state tournament was the final amateur event for Shin, who has qualified for the LPGA Futures Tour and is pursuing a professional career.
Shin continues to play golf professionally. She won her first LGPA event, the Volunteers of America Texas Shootout, on May 1, 2016. Her best finish to date was at the British Open in 2017, where she finished in 6th place overall.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Porter Ridge High School
Gunter won three consecutive state championships by a whopping 10 strokes during her career at Porter Ridge.
Gunter won three consecutive state championships by a whopping 10 strokes during her career at Porter Ridge.
Courtney Gunter
Porter Ridge High School
Impact Statement
Gunter won three consecutive state championships by a whopping 10 strokes during her career at Porter Ridge.
Biography
After being tied for the lead following the first day of the Class A-2A-3A state tournament last fall, Gunter made it a runaway on the final day, shooting the tournament’s only subpar round – a 2-under 70 in blustery, chilly conditions – to shoot 76-70-146 and win her third consecutive state championship by a whopping 10 strokes. She was a three-time South Piedmont Conference Player of the Year and a two-time Charlotte Observer Player of the Year.
Also an outstanding junior player, Gunter was a Rolex Junior All-America Honorable Mention selection and was named North Carolina Junior Player of the Year in 2008 after finishing in the top 10 in eight of the 15 events she entered, and was an EA Sports All-American in 2007. She will attend the University of North Carolina.
While at UNC she excelled both on the golf course and the class room. She was named the National Golf Coaches Association, NGCA, All American Scholar and named to the All ACC Honor Roll. The Tar Heels made two NCAA appearances during her career.
In July of 2018 Gunter was hired as the Head Coach at Western Carolina University.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
The Stevenson School
“I’ve always been competitive and I love to succeed. Makes me feel like I’m doing something right.” Mina Harigae
“I’ve always been competitive and I love to succeed. Makes me feel like I’m doing something right.” Mina Harigae
Mina Harigae
The Stevenson School
Impact Statement
“I’ve always been competitive and I love to succeed. Makes me feel like I’m doing something right.” Mina Harigae
Biography
Harigae is ranked No. 2 nationally among junior golfers, and tops among seniors. A three-time state placewinner in the NorCal and state championships, Harigae won the NorCal championship last fall, following with a 10th-place finish in the state tournament as Stevenson finished second to Monterey High by one stroke.
The Duke University commitment finished third in the NorCal tournament and was the state runnerup as a junior, and as a freshman finished fifth in the NorCal meet and fourth in state. Harigae is a three-time Rolex Junior First Team All-American and has been named to the team the past five years. She won the GolfWorld West Coast Championship last summer, has twice finished third in the U.S. Girls Junior Championship and has 17 top-five finishes in major junior events since 2003.
Harigae spent a year as a Duke Blue Devil before turning professional. Her most recent finish was at the 2018 British Open where she tied for 28th place.
Photos
Articles
Personal Honors
Cactus Shadows High School
Choe, a two- time Arizona State Champ, won the 2012 Symetra Tour to earn her 2013 LPGA card.
Choe, a two- time Arizona State Champ, won the 2012 Symetra Tour to earn her 2013 LPGA card.
Esther Choe
Cactus Shadows High School
Impact Statement
Choe, a two- time Arizona State Champ, won the 2012 Symetra Tour to earn her 2013 LPGA card.
Biography
As a junior Choe posted a 36-hole score of 15-under-par 125 – the lowest score in state history – to lead Cactus Shadows to the Class 4A state team title. She followed that with 11-under 129 as a senior for her second individual title, leading Cactus Shadows to a state runnerup finish and earning repeat Girls Golfer of the Year honors from the Arizona Republic.
A two-time Junior Solheim Cup Team member who also competed on the Junior Ryder Cup Team in 2006, Choe is ranked No. 1 in the Junior Golf national rankings and was voted the Rolex Junior Player of the Year.
She turned professional at the age of 17.
Photos
Records
Personal Honors
The Kamehameha School
“Chase after your dreams”
-Mari Chun on advice to younsters
“Chase after your dreams”
-Mari Chun on advice to younsters
Mari Chun
The Kamehameha School
Impact Statement
“Chase after your dreams”
-Mari Chun on advice to younsters
Biography
Few athletes matched Chun’s accomplishments on the course and in the classroom in 2004. She won the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association Tournament of Champions, the Hawaii State Women’s Golf Association Match Play Championships, the Mayor’s Cup, the Aloha Section of the Westfield Junior PGA Championships and the Callaway Junior World Championships.
On the high school links she was the state runnerup as a senior, fifth as a junior and seventh as a sophomore. With a 4.12 GPA, Chun is a member of the National Honor Society and was the recipient of the Wellesley Book Award, which honored her as its Outstanding Female Student of the Year. She will attend Stanford University.
At Stanford, Chun was named as a NGCA Second Team All-American.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
West Torrance High School
Cochran won a California State Championship and joined the WPGA after one year of college.
Cochran won a California State Championship and joined the WPGA after one year of college.
Amie Cochran
West Torrance High School
Impact Statement
Cochran won a California State Championship and joined the WPGA after one year of college.
Biography
Cochran won the first California state title contested in girls’ golf in over 20 years when she took the title in a playoff at the PGA of Southern California this spring. Cochran will join an NCAA championship squad at UCLA next year.
Cochran played for the Bruins two years before turning professional after her Sophomore year.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Grand Blanc High School
Michigan’s McConnell excelled on the golf course at Grand Blanc High and continued her career at Michigan State.
Michigan’s McConnell excelled on the golf course at Grand Blanc High and continued her career at Michigan State.
Mandi McConnell
Grand Blanc High School
Impact Statement
Michigan’s McConnell excelled on the golf course at Grand Blanc High and continued her career at Michigan State.
Biography
“Mandi McConnell has put together the type of high school career that makes it clear that she has been and will continue to be a force on the women’s golf scene,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to name Mandi McConnell it’s National High School Senior Girls Golf Athlete of the Year.”
The 2003 Michigan Miss Golf selection, McConnell averaged 73.2 strokes per round her senior season in winning the state championship. McConnell’s title came after two runner-up finishes and one third-place award at the state championships. McConnell broke several records throughout her career, including a 38-year mark at Flint Junior Golf, and LPGA star Kelly Robbins’ record for lowest round ever at the Davison Invitational. McConnell also played on the Power-Bilt Tour and posted 27 wins, while receiving the Player of the Year Award for three consecutive years.
McConnell stayed in state and attended Michigan State University. While competing as a Spartan, McConnell played 72 Rounds and had an average score of 77.38.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Sisters High School
“My whole career I’ve been so fortunate to be around such positive kids and colleagues.”
-Mary Flande
“My whole career I’ve been so fortunate to be around such positive kids and colleagues.”
-Mary Flande
Mary Flande
Sisters High School
Impact Statement
“My whole career I’ve been so fortunate to be around such positive kids and colleagues.”
-Mary Flande
Biography
“Mary Flande is the perfect example of the thousands of coaches around this country that put their athletes before themselves,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to honor Mary Flande as the National High School Girls Golf Coach of the Year.”
Flande began her coaching career in 1978 in Nunapachuk, Alaska coaching boys and girls basketball. Over the years that career has evolved to include coaching experiences in track, volleyball and golf in the state of Oregon. Now also the athletic director at Sisters High, Flande adds this national coaching award to numerous conference and regional coaching awards in her career.
Flande continued to coach golf until 2011 at Sisters.
Photos
Professional Achievements
The Baylor School
The Baylor School, to Vanderbilt, to the LPGA, back to Vanderbilt, Wood had a brilliant golf career.
The Baylor School, to Vanderbilt, to the LPGA, back to Vanderbilt, Wood had a brilliant golf career.
May Wood
The Baylor School
Impact Statement
The Baylor School, to Vanderbilt, to the LPGA, back to Vanderbilt, Wood had a brilliant golf career.
Biography
“Athletes like May Wood are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best golfers not only in the state of Tennessee, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.”
Wood won Division II individual state titles in 1998, 1999, and 2000 after finishing third in the state as an eighth-grader in 1997. A wrist injury prevented Wood from trying for a fourth state title last fall. However, she competed in the Aerus Electrolux Tournament, the LPGA Tour’s Nashville stop, this spring and will continue her golf career in the fall as a freshman at Vanderbilt University.
Wood also was a two-time All-American in the NHSCA National Open High School Women’s Golf Championships. As a freshman in 1999, Wood finished second in the event to Natalie Gulbis, currently an LPGA Tour rookie, with a 311 total, when it was a 72-hole event. In 2000, Wood followed that up with a 221 total and a fourth-place finish.
Before turning pro in 2004, Wood was named to the All-SEC Team, first team All-American and was the SEC Player of the Year.
From 2004 through 2008, she played on the LPGA Futures as well as the LPGA Tours. She also competed in the 2006 U.S. Women’s Open.
Wood did go back to Vanderbilt and graduated with a degree in Art History.
Photos
Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
East Noble High School
Sparks earned IHSAA honors in high school before going on to be a four year player at Xavier University.
Sparks earned IHSAA honors in high school before going on to be a four year player at Xavier University.
Sarah Sparks
East Noble High School
Impact Statement
Sparks earned IHSAA honors in high school before going on to be a four year player at Xavier University.
Biography
“Athletes like Sarah Sparks are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best golfers not only in the state of Indiana, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.”
Sparks starred in two sports at East Noble High. In addition to her golf achievements, she was a three-year starter on the basketball team and captain as a senior, leading her team and earning second-team All-Conference honors.
A two-time individual golf state qualifier, Sparks finished ninth in the state tournament last fall and was named the winner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s Mental Attitude Award. Also an outstanding student, Sparks will graduate No. 1 in a class of 292 students, and will attend Xavier University. She earned a grade-point average of 11.2 (on a scale of 11.0) and scored 1410 on the SAT.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Bishop Gorman High School
Hentzner helped lead Bishop Gorman to a second-place finish in the Class 4A Nevada girls golf state tournament.
Hentzner helped lead Bishop Gorman to a second-place finish in the Class 4A Nevada girls golf state tournament.
Christine Hentzner
Bishop Gorman High School
Impact Statement
Hentzner helped lead Bishop Gorman to a second-place finish in the Class 4A Nevada girls golf state tournament.
Biography
Hentzner helped lead Bishop Gorman to a second-place finish in the Class 4A Nevada girls golf state tournament last fall, finishing among the top 10 players individually. In the National Open High School Golf Championships, held June 23-25 in Winter Garden, Florida, Hentzner was the highest-placing senior in the girls competition, finishing in ninth place. The tournament was part of the 3rd annual National High School Sports Festival, which attracted nearly 1,000 athletes to the Orlando, Florida area for competition in golf, tennis, and soccer June 23-26.
“Athletes like Christine Hentzner are one of the reasons these Championships are so gratifying,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills, and we are extremely proud to be honoring her.”
Hentzner put together three consistent rounds of golf at the Orange County National Golf Center, shooting 77-76-77 for a 54-hole score of 230. Christine Kim, a sophomore at Oak Grove High School in San Jose, California, won the event with a 215 total.
Hentzner played collegiately at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. In 2002, she was received Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors. As a senior, she and the Rebels claimed the team title at the Mountain West Conference Championships.
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Sacred Heart Academy
Coach Bender led Sacred Heart Academy to four straight Kentucky girls’ golf state championships in 2014.
Coach Bender led Sacred Heart Academy to four straight Kentucky girls’ golf state championships in 2014.
Leslie Bender
Sacred Heart Academy
Impact Statement
Coach Bender led Sacred Heart Academy to four straight Kentucky girls’ golf state championships in 2014.
Biography
Leslie Bender led Sacred Heart Academy to its fourth straight Kentucky girls’ golf state championship in 2014. The road to the four-peat needed a little extra golf as Sacred Heart beat Henry Clay High School 21-23 in a playoff. The fourth straight state title matches the school’s run of four titles from 1984-to-87, which ties Glagow High for the record of four-straight state titles. Since taking-over the Sacred Heart Academy program in 2006, Bender has graduated 15 players that have moved-on to play golf at the college level. Bender is the first coach from Kentucky to win the NHSCA National Girls Golf Coach of the Year Award.
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Socorro High School
“I believe sports programs should not teach the fundamentals and rules of that sport, but it should teach students skills that they will use for life.” -Margaret Stanley
“I believe sports programs should not teach the fundamentals and rules of that sport, but it should teach students skills that they will use for life.” -Margaret Stanley
Margaret Stanley
Socorro High School
Impact Statement
“I believe sports programs should not teach the fundamentals and rules of that sport, but it should teach students skills that they will use for life.” -Margaret Stanley
Biography
Coach Stanley has led the Socorro girls’ golf team to eight New Mexico team state championships in the last twelve seasons, including the 2015 Class AAAA-A title.
She played on the Socorro High golf team in the 80’s that was coached by her father Dennis Stanley, who led the school to four straight state titles.
Coach Stanley’s teams have won over 95% of matches during her time as head coach. Coach Stanley has retired after a brilliant run at Socorro High School in 2016.
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Punahou School
“I think most of the time it’s really just trying to keep it as close to stroke play as possible. Just trying to play my game. If they make a mistake, try to capitalize on that.”
“I think most of the time it’s really just trying to keep it as close to stroke play as possible. Just trying to play my game. If they make a mistake, try to capitalize on that.”
Allisen Corpuz
Punahou School
Impact Statement
“I think most of the time it’s really just trying to keep it as close to stroke play as possible. Just trying to play my game. If they make a mistake, try to capitalize on that.”
Biography
Allisen Corpuz captured the Hawaii state championship this past season. Corpuz finished second as a junior and third as a freshman. She’s ranked #19 in the AJGA Polo Junior Rankings. She is a three time AJGA All-American.
Outside of high school competition, Corpuz, qualified for the LPGA’s Lotte Championship earlier this year; she has played in six USCA Championships and was the youngest ever to compete in a USGA Event as she was 10 years and 3 months at the 2008 Women’s Amateur Public Links. She also represented Hawaii at the 2014 Asia Pacific Junior Cup. She will be attending USC in the fall.
While at USC, Corpuz achieved WGCA All-America honors as a sophomore after an impressive freshman season. She earned All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention both season. As a junior, she helped the Trojans to two titles – Pac 12 and Regional titles through the NCAA. She again earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honor. She again earned WGCA All-American first team honors as a senior. She added 2020 WGCA All-American Scholar to her accolades. She is ranked within the top 30 armature golfers as of 2021.
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Bellarmine Prep
Bender led Bellarmine to nine consecutive state titles before retiring after the 2018 season.
Bender led Bellarmine to nine consecutive state titles before retiring after the 2018 season.
Mark Bender
Bellarmine Prep
Impact Statement
Bender led Bellarmine to nine consecutive state titles before retiring after the 2018 season.
Biography
This past season, Mark Bender led Bellarmine Prep to its eighth straight Washington state championship, which is a state record for consecutive state titles.
In May, Bellarmine won the state title easily with 163.75 points to second place Camas’ 67.75 points. Bellarmine was led by freshman Julia Bordeaux, who finished tied for third at the state tournament. Bender also led the Lions to a 2003 state title before stepping away from the program for four years.
Bender is the first coach from Washington to win the NHSCA National Girls’ Golf Coach of the Year.
Bender led Bellarmine to another state title in 2018 before retiring after the season.
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Lake Travis High School
“Attitude is key, not only in sports, but in life as well.” -Kaitlyn Papp
“Attitude is key, not only in sports, but in life as well.” -Kaitlyn Papp
Kaitlyn Papp
Lake Travis High School
Impact Statement
“Attitude is key, not only in sports, but in life as well.” -Kaitlyn Papp
Biography
Kaitlyn Papp closed-out her scholastic career winning Texas’ Class 6A individual championship with a 7-under par 137, which helped Lake Travis to its third straight state championship.
Papp, who will attend Texas in the fall, is a four-time Rolex Junior All-American, earning first team honors in 2015 and 2016. Papp was named to USA Today’s Second-Team All-American Girls’ Golf team in 2016.
She was selected to represent the USA on the winning Junior Ryder Cup team and was selected to represent the USA at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Toyota-shi, Japan. Papp is the second Texas student-athlete to win the NHSCA Girls’ Golf Athlete of the Year Award.
Through her first three years as a Longhorn, Papp has been named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year in 2018. As a sophomore and a junior, she earned WGCA First-Team All-American status. She currently holds the school record for career stoke average with a 71.91.
In December of 2020, Papp competed at the US Women’s Open in Houston. Texas. She tied for ninth place to earn low-
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