Hays' Lindsey McCurdy was the low medalist at the Class 4A Region IV Golf Tournament held April 16-17. She advances to the Class 4A UIL State Golf Tournament April 30-May 1 in Austin.
By JASON GORDON
One of the few things Hays golfing sensation Lindsey McCurdy doesn’t have on her resume is a state title.
For the second straight year, she’ll get the chance to win the gold medal she covets.
McCurdy won the medalist title at the Class 4A Region IV golf tournament Tuesday at The Golf Club of Texas in San Antonio.
McCurdy, who has also won several statewide junior titles during the amateur summer tournament schedule, shot a two-day total of 2-under par 142 despite windy conditions Monday and Tuesday on the difficult course.
After starting the tournament with a double-bogey on her first hole Monday, McCurdy proceeded to birdie four of her final 15 holes to shoot 1-under 71.
“I think a lot of golfers would have folded after starting the tournament with a double-bogey, but that’s not Lindsey,” said Hays head golf coach Danny Preuss. “Other coaches were even commenting on what a consistent golfer she is. She went up against three of the top programs in the state this week – Lake Travis, Smithson Valley and Cedar Park – and beat them all.”
On Tuesday, McCurdy once again got off to a tough start with two early bogies, but she stuck an 8-iron to within 6-inches of the cup on the 128-yard par-3 No. 3 hole to get her round rolling.
“I like to win, so this feels awesome,” McCurdy said. “It’s a great feeling to get to go back to state.”
Last year, McCurdy was the top-ranked female golfer in Class 4A in Texas heading into the state tournament, but the experience didn’t turn out quite the way she expected.
She carded a first-round score of 6-over 78 in a round that saw numerous birdie putts come tantalizingly close to falling in, and followed that up with a 2-over 74 on day two to finish in fifth place with a 152 total.
There were bright spots that proved the kind of athlete McCurdy is despite the fact she was out of contention for the top spot in Class 4A.
Despite blustery conditions that hindered golfers all tournament long, McCurdy parred the final 13 holes she played.
“I think Lindsey learned a lot from the experience of playing at state as a sophomore,” Preuss said. “I think it will make her more determined this year. I think she has a real shot to win.”
McCurdy said she’s ready to show what she’s capable of at the Class 4A UIL State Tournament, April 30-May 1 at Jimmy Clay Golf Course in Austin.
“My goal is to win,” she said. “I just need to give myself chances for birdies and sink some putts. If I do that, I’ll definitely have a chance to win.”
