Mary Catherine McDaniel named All-Bi-City Girls Golfer of the Year

Columbus golfer Mary Catherine McDaniel had nothing short of perfect timing at the 2017 Class 4A state championship tournament.

McDaniel had played well for Columbus throughout her sophomore season, trading the lowest score honors back and forth with fellow sophomore Faith Scott. Her play, however, got kicked up a notch at state, as she turned in a season-low 76.

Her play was vital in Columbus’ push for the state title and has led in her selection as All-Bi-City Girls Golfer of the Year.

McDaniel recalled the preparation for the state tournament, which was held as Maple Ridge in Columbus. As the Lady Blue Devils’ home course, McDaniel and her teammates had the advantage of really getting to study the course in the days preceding the tournament.

“We had walked through that course backward and forward almost every single day before state,” McDaniel said. “Not only playing there every single day as a team, but being able to practice there and get the feel of the greens and the grass was definitely an advantage. It definitely worked to our favor.”

McDaniel said everyone understood how beneficial it was to play at home, but that didn’t mean they didn’t work hard for the moment. She said the team practiced together every weekday then took it upon themselves to work on the weekends, too. As the regular season rolled on and the wins kept mounting, the golfers kept their eyes on the top objective.

But even after her 76, McDaniel admitted she felt uneasy the next day. With the second and final round looming, McDaniel said she was nervous because of the rainy conditions. Playing with showers forecasted all day would be a headache for even the best golfers, leaving her anxious about what was to come.

Fortunately for McDaniel and her teammates, the rainy day conditions were too much for the course to bear. The second round was cancelled, giving Columbus the state championship.

“When they called it, there was definitely was a sigh of relief,” McDaniel said. “My muscles relaxed, and I ran to my team and hugged them all. It was so great.”

McDaniel’s team matched the Columbus boys team with a state championship in 2017, but the similarities don’t end there. McDaniel’s father, Joe, is the girls coach, while Blue Devils golfer Jonathan Parker’s father Chris is the boys coach. McDaniel shot the lowest score for the Columbus girls at state, while Jonathan posted the lowest round for the Columbus boys.

All four individuals took home All-Bi-City individual honors as a result.

Joe recalled his daughter’s modest beginnings in the golf before it became clear this could be something more than recreation for her.

“It started out as a way for us to spend time together and enjoy something outside,” Joe said. “As she got older and got better, we saw she has a lot of potential and how hard she works. She’s getting better, and that competitive spirit kept coming out.”

As a rising junior, McDaniel is staying busy through the summer.

With plenty of golf on the calendar, she is working to make sure the next season of Columbus golf is just as strong as the previous. She has the goal of deciding on a college during her junior year and helping the Lady Blue Devils capture another state title. She also wants the team to come together as one like they did her sophomore year, which made the victories and championship even more enjoyable.

With a state title now to her name, McDaniel plans to make the most of her remaining two years at Columbus.

“It was our best season yet, and there’s two more to come for me and Faith,” McDaniel said. “These freshmen have bright futures, too.”

This story was originally published June 21, 2017 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Mary Catherine McDaniel named All-Bi-City Girls Golfer of the Year."