Elizabeth Moon
SENIOR / FORREST CITY HIGH SCHOOL
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: GIRLS GOLF
After firing a 2-under-par 70 at the Pleasant Valley Country Club, one Forrest City High School student not only clinched the state girls golf title; she also secured her place as the All-Arkansas Preps Outstanding Girls Golf Player of the
Year. Elizabeth Moon, a senior, had made winning Player of the Year her mission since attending her first All-Arkansas Preps banquet. “I walked into the banquet my ninthgrade year, and was like, I want to be honored as Player of the Year,” she said. “That’s been a goal of mine, and I knew that wouldn’t be possible without winning Overall.” Moon began playing golf at the age of 6 after visiting a golf course with her dad. At first, she didn’t think she would like golf, but after taking a few swings, she fell in love with playing. When she started, she enjoyed hitting long drives but hated putting. Now she feels like putting is her biggest strength.
Moon said she is especially proud of her achievements this year because each year, she believes the competition has gotten better and better. In her previous
Overall Tournament appearances, she has finished as runner-up, in a four-way tie for second place and in a three-way tie for third place. This year, she shot a 64 in the 5A State Tournament and won the event by eight strokes. Forrest City golf coach Dwight Lofton said Moon is dedicated to being a golfer and works hard to succeed at her craft. “What is so amazing to me is, at our three tournaments, the Conference Tournament, the 5A
State Tournament and the Overall Tournament, she never shot over par,” Lofton said. Moon said her ability to focus also helped her win the title. “I tried to stay positive, especially after the bogey on 16,” she said. “I kept my composure and started each hole like I was walking up to the first tee.” Next year, Moon will attend the University of Central Florida. She said she chose the school because the weather will allow her to practice every day, and the school has excellent facilities and lots of great courses nearby.