Today is the day two area golfers will realize a life-long dream when they head to Tulsa to participate in the OCA All-State golf meet.
Lone Grove’s Kelsey Anderson and Kingston’s Justin Brown were both chosen as All-Staters. Both were All-Ardmoreite Golfers of the Year.
Many were nominated, but few were chosen for All-State. And both golfers understand the honor of this day.
“It makes me very proud to have the opportunity to participate in All-State,” Anderson said. “My sister (Amanda) was Lone Grove’s first All-Stater in golf, and I’m looking forward to playing as a representative of my school and my family. It should be a lot of fun to challenge some of the best golfers in the state. I’m looking forward to making the trip, and hopefully I have a great day on the course.”
Anderson was fourth at the state 3A tournament. She owns the school record for lowest career average score (95.5 from 2006-2009), and she broke her own record from 2008 for single-season scoring average (89.7). She shot a school-record lowest round (81) at the state tournament.
Lone Grove golf coach Buck Chatham was grateful for Anderson’s leadership throughout the season. Ultimately the Longhorns were able to head to state with a full team, and that made it all the more special.
“Kelsey is a wonderful golfer, and I’m thankful I had the opportunity to coach her,” Chatham said. “She’s an excellent student, and she comes from a good family. I remember Kelsey telling the girls early on that it was her goal to play in the state tournament. And she did for the fourth year in a row. She wanted to be a leader, and she helped create a dream for the other girls to make state as well.
Anderson plans to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State and has been accepted to their cheerleading squad.
“I don’t think I can ever rule out the possibility of playing college golf, but right now I want to attend Southeastern and be on the cheerleading squad,” Anderson said. “I’ve enjoyed my time on the Lone Grove golf team, but I need to narrow my focus now that I’m heading to college. And being a cheerleader is what I really want to do right now.”
Brown got some added incentive to make All-State by observing a classmate. Justin Blomberg made All-State when Brown was a senior, and that helped Brown set lofty goals for his golf game.
