Although the next golf tournament is months away in February, the golf teams worked through the fall to improve skills, an effort already paying off for at least one golfer, who will be playing collegiate golf next year.

Canyon’s number one girl golfer, senior Macy Mitchell,  placed in the top four of every tournament this fall and recently committed to continue playing next year at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor.

“If we as a team keep on improving at the rate that we are, our upcoming district season is looking very hopeful,” senior Mitchell said. “The goal of the team is to get to regionals, and that would take getting second at district.”

Mitchell said her personal goal this season is to achieve more personal bests and ultimately keep improving.

“The amount of focus it takes to play golf, and what that focus teaches you through different aspects of daily things is what I love about golf,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said she had not been sure she wanted to play college golf, but the girls golf coach at Mary Hardin Baylor, Jackie Ralston, ultimately convinced her to play after high school.

“She is really encouraging and exactly what I needed,” Mitchell said. “I am just really excited and grateful for the opportunity. This will be a very good team, and I’m looking forward to playing with them next year.”

Canyon’s number one boy golfer, junior Mason Ketcherside, has placed in the top four of every triangular tournament this fall and said he is very excited about this upcoming season as a team.

“The team is looking great so far,” Ketcherside said. “We’re a few strokes behind Amarillo High and Randall, but we should be able to get on top at district.

After his sophomore season, Ketcherside made the decision to give up football and baseball to pursue his dream of playing golf after high school.

“My goal is to make it to regionals and then play as well as I can to make it to state,” Ketcherside said. “I’m going to have to work hard and practice even harder in the off-season to accomplish these goals.”

Ketcherside said he has a deep love for golf, and he loves the challenge that it has to offer.

“I love golf because you could play really good or really bad,” Ketcherside said. “It just adds to the challenge of golf. I just love the atmosphere of golf, the nature of it, the people and the ability to play the game I’ve always enjoyed and worked hard for.”