Freshman casts a formidable presence
Magnolia golf coach Jim Bob Jackson saw it coming. • He has followed Halle Whitney for years, so he realized her potential and knew she’d join with reigning Class 5A individual champ Ava Schwienteck to form the backbone of a state championship-contending team. • Still, the freshman’s dramatic rise to No. 1 last week was a sight to behold. • Whitney, who was third at the District 20-5A tournament and seventh at the Region III-5A tourney, won a two-hole playoff against Mansfield Lake Ridge’s Caitlyn Lindell after shooting a two-day 150 to claim the individual state championship, keeping the title in Magnolia for the second straight year. • The impressive finish to Whitney’s first year of high school play propelled the Bulldogs to third place in the team standings, and made her the Chronicle’s All-Greater Houston Girls Golfer of the Year. • “She works hard at her game,” Jackson said. “She knows her game, she putts really well, she’s a good ball striker, and it’s because of the hard work and the work she’s put into it day in and day out. She puts in the time, and in this game that’s something you have to do.”
Q: How long have you been golfing? How did you get started?
A: “When we moved to our house on a golf course (Lake Windcrest), I started going out to the club and clinics, and I met my swing coach, who is still my swing coach, Roger Stebbins. I was probably 6 or 7 … and I probably started playing competitively when I was about 9.”
Q: Do you have a favorite golfer or somebody you model your game after?
A: “I don’t watch the LPGA as much as I do the guys, but I like to watch Rickie (Fowler) and Jordan (Spieth). I like to see them when they come to the Shell Houston Open. It’s really cool to watch them and see how they handle their shots when they’re faced with adversity, because whenever I’m playing I think of them and how we all hit bad shots.”
Q: How does high school competition compare to the tournaments you grew up playing?
A: “I (previously) played with most of the people who I did play with (this year), especially in Kingwood — they all play in out-of-school tournaments like I do — but it was different having my coach around, where he could talk to me and give me advice while I was playing. That was different, but it was good.”
Q: What was it like having a playoff for a state championship?
A: “I was privileged and fortunate to go play because when I was walking out to the 18th green I didn’t know that I would still have a spot, because I didn’t do as well (in the second round). And going up to that first tee again, I was a little nervous. There were a lot of people. But I got to tee off second, and it went well from there, off the first tee, which was nice.”
Q: What does winning a state championship mean to you?
A: “It’s awesome. It’s a great feeling, and I’m super thankful for the team and coaches for getting us to state.”
Q: How satisfied are you with the team’s finish?
A: “Third is great for state. We’re losing a couple players this year, but we’re gaining a good one. So if we keep working hard I think we might able to climb even higher at state.”
Q: You also play in AJGA, Southern Texas PGA and Texas Junior Golf Tour tournaments. What are your plans this summer?
A: “In a week, I’m going out to Kentucky to play in an AJGA, then I come back and a couple weeks later I play in The Woodlands for an AJGA qualifier, and if I make that I’ll play in that tournament. So I’m just trying to get into tournaments that have the most stars … and play a lot of tournaments this summer.” Q: What is your goal for next year? A: “I’m definitely going to strive to work harder and get more wins than I did at districts and regionals, and all the other tournaments besides state, and work to get another one at state, if I can.”