Golfer Hunter Logan was aware of the feeling. After all, he calls it “the best feeling in sports.”
When the Caledonia High School rising junior had that feeling Friday afternoon at the Tupelo Country Club, he was hopeful it would lead to a championship.
“When everything is working, it is a special feeling,” Logan said. “When you starting putting a solid round together, and you feel like each part of your game is working well, that is exciting.”
Logan had that feeling during a final-round 68 as he rallied to win the two-day Pros of Tomorrow Golf Tournament held Thursday and Friday at the club.
After shooting a first-round 74, Logan had six birdies on the final day to finish with a two-under par 142, good for a one-stroke win in a 31-player field (ages 16-18).
Also from a local standpoint, Avery Pool placed second in the girls’ 16-18 division, while Kate McElhinney placed second in the girls’ 13-15 division.
“It is always exciting to win a tournament,” Logan said. “Really on the back nine there on the final day, it all fell together. My putting game was good throughout the day. I was playing my irons well, too. It was a the third time to play in this tournament so I was real familiar with the course. I think that helped me out down the stretch.”
Covering during age groups, Logan has won this tournament each of those three times he has competed in Tupelo. Past success made the difference.
“You know you have won here before and that helps,” Logan said. “When you have to have that something extra, you can rely on things you have done well here in the past. That really helps with the confidence.”
Logan said he was eight- or nine-years old when he asked his parents (father Colby and mother Heather) for a set of golf clubs. He watched the sport on television and was intrigued.
From there, the love affair took place quickly and has been lasting. After winning the tournament Friday, he went back and played local courses Saturday and Sunday.
“I love everything about the sport of golf,” Logan said. “It is that rare sport where practice is fun. I try to hit a couple of hours every day and then most days, I try to play either nine or 18 holes.”
The work ethic, blended with the love and support of his parents, have helped Logan’s golf game take off. During the high school season, he is a key member of the Caledonia team. During the summer and fall, the schedule includes several tournaments and practice rounds to stay sharp. Youngster sister Sunny plays tennis at the school.
“Tournaments like this one are fun because you face a lot of guys that you face in the high school tournaments,” Logan said. “There are a lot of friendships formed. Everybody is competitive. These tournaments are fun, because you are competing against more people. High school tournament can be as few as three or four teams. That makes this more of a challenge.”
In the spring, it will be back to work on another state championship. Caledonia had never won a Mississippi High School Activities Association golf state championship until Logan’s freshman year in 2016. Now, the Confederates will be trying for a third straight title this upcoming year.
“We lost one senior off the first championship team,” Logan said. “This year is going to be different because we lost three seniors. However, we have some really young players who are going to step up and make a difference. There are lot of players who work regularly on their game. That is how you win championships.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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