Whitney’s got game, plus 2 state crowns
Magnolia’s Halle Whitney picked up where she left off.
After surprising the state by claiming the Class 5A girls championship as a freshman, she responded by lowering her average — no sophomore slump here — capturing her first district title and then repeating as 5A champion on a different course, firing a two-day 143 at White Wing Golf Club. But it took another strong finish. Whitney prevailed in a playoff for last year’s win at Wolfdancer, and she repeated by one stroke May 22 in Georgetown, holding off Midlothian’s Jasmine Zhang for her second state gold medal.
Now she’s the Houston Chronicle’s two-time All-Greater Houston Girls Golfer of the Year.
“She had a good, solid year, with a couple wins, including the state championship, and she grew a lot over the last year, and continues to grow, as a player and person,” Magnolia coach Jim Bob Jackson said. “So I’m extremely proud of her … (and) we’re going to continue to look for good things from her the next couple years.”
Q: You won last year after a twoday 150. This year, 11 golfers shot 150 or lower. Why were the scores so much lower?
A: “A lot of people played a lot better, and that course was in great condition. It was firm, so our balls rolled a lot, so that’s why the scores were lower.”
Q: How did the course compare to Wolfdancer?
A: “This year’s course was a little easier, in the sense that there was not as much trouble in every hole, like Wolfdancer has, (with) a ravine on almost every hole.”
Q: How does this championship compare to your first?
A: “It was awesome. I really enjoyed this win because of that back nine. I had so much fun playing, and when I made that last putt, that was something I’ll remember for a long time.”
Q: What about this season overall? Last year, you took off late. Were you more comfortable early on in Year 2?
A: “I was. This year, my scoring average, overall, was lower. My rounds in general were lower, which makes me excited for next year, because I think
they see what can go happens even lower. next year.” So I’m excited to
Q: Do the lower scores also reflect improvements in your game?
A:
fact, I “For got new sure. clubs My work a couple is showing. months In ago, with which this summer, I’m super because excited I’m to hitting play the ball a lot farther.” Q: What kind of clubs are they? A: “They’re new irons — Titleist AP1s.” Q: What do you like about them?
A: “I strike it very clean, and when I strike it well, I’m hitting the ball a lot higher and farther, especially because I’ve been working out a lot more this year. I can see that when I’m playing now.”
Q: You won district but finished third at the Region III-5A tourney after losing a three-way playoff. Did that motivate you at state?
A: “It made be excited. I definitely wanted to work on my game a lot more. If I had gone to another playoff hole, I wanted to be able to play it to the best of my ability.”
Q: How is your college search going?
A: “I am (looking at schools). We just recently started sending out all the emails and making all the calls that are needed. And so I’m looking forward to Sept. 1 of my junior year, when I can communicate with coaches more easily. I’m excited to see what plays out in my future for college golf.”
Q: I know you’re staying busy with tournaments this summer. What’s next on your slate?
A: “I have a USGA (junior) qualifier in Spring (June 18 at Raveneaux), where I get to have a caddie, and I’m really excited because my swing coach will be able to be on the bag with me when I play.”
Q: Have you set any goals for the next season?
A: “I definitely want to get my scoring average lower. I want to be able to shoot below par as often as possible, and I want my team to work hard, because I know we can do a lot next year at state.”