It was a really good round, a magical round.
One of those rounds that could have made a golfer believe it could get better and better.
If a golfer does start to think ahead, to think of what could be, well, that can often lead to bogeys. That can lead to a good round gone bad.
Taylor Hartley’s final round at the Class 4A state girls golf tournament last month never went bad. A senior from Union, she shot a school-record 1-under par 71. That gave her a two-day total of even par, strong enough to finish in a tie for second.
Hartley was more impressed with her focus that day rather that her score. Yes, she knew it was going well, but she refused to think about anything but the next shot.
“I was really proud of myself … with how I handled myself,” Hartley said. “I was proud I was able to keep the Zen state going.”
The state of her game is strong for The Columbian’s All-Region girls golfer of the year.
Hartley said she never even expected a top-five finish because Washington has so many talented players. Instead, she just wanted to do the best she could for herself and for her team.
Always motivated to improve, she got an extra boost to that drive when she finished third at the district tournament.
“Putting cost me second or first place,” Hartley said.
So she went to work. Headphones on, not talking to anyone, she hit the practice green.
“That’s all I did. Putting and putting and putting,” Hartley said. “Even at the hotel.”
The strategy worked. Describing it as “insane putting,” she was draining long putts and saving tough par putts. She did not three-putt in the two days at state.
Hartley, who has signed with Portland State, knew she was in a good spot after her 71, but she did not wait around to see how the leaders behind her were faring. Her round was complete. She was thrilled. She wanted to win, naturally, but by that point she could do no more.
“I stayed away from the scoreboard, away from the 18th green,” Hartley said. “I just stayed with my teammates, to see what they were planning to do that weekend, to get back to reality.”
Soon enough, she found out she tied for second.
“I was really shocked and surprised. My senior year. I shot one of the best rounds I could possibly shoot, best for my school history,” Hartley said. “My heart was so full of joy to go out that way. Everyone should aspire to go out as best as they can. I feel I did that.”
All-Region girls golf team
Emma Cox, Camas
Freshman was a 4A GSHL second-team pick, sixth at district and tied for 32nd at 4A state tournament.
Elise Filuk, Camas
Senior was a 4A GSHL first-team pick, 4A district runner-up and tied for sixth at 4A state tournament
