Matthews Looking To Continue Lost Springs Success

Courtesy Photo Brooke Matthews of Rogers will compete in the KMPG Stacy Lewis Open this week after a strong high school season.
Courtesy Photo Brooke Matthews of Rogers will compete in the KMPG Stacy Lewis Open this week after a strong high school season.

LITTLE FLOCK -- Brooke Matthews was up early Monday, and the rising Rogers High sophomore had the driving range to herself at Lost Springs Golf and Athletic Club.

Matthews was one of the top high school golfers in the state as a freshman last fall, and the 15-year-old is about to face one of her toughest challenges this week at the American Junior Golf Association KMPG Stacy Lewis Open at Lost Springs.

At A Glance

KMPG Stacy Lewis Junior Open

Today-Thursday

Lost Springs Golf and Athletic Club, Little Flock

Participants: boys and girls ages 12-18

Field Size: 132 (95 boys; 35 girls)

Format: 54 holes/36-hole cut stroke play

The 54-hole event tees off today and concludes Thursday. The field includes some of the top junior talent in the world. Players from 21 states and Mexico and Columbia are in the boys and girls field.

Matthews is one of them.

As a freshman and only playing competitive golf for four years, she finished second at the 7A-West Conference Tournament, and she then fashioned a 78-79 157 for a third place finish at the Class 7A State Golf Tournament. Both tournaments were played at Lost Springs and that should bode well this week.

"This is the biggest tournament I have played in, and with people coming in from all over the country and the world, it's going to be a big test," Matthews said. "But I think I am ready, and I am excited it is here at my high school course."

She had the lowest stroke average on the Lady Mounties' golf team, and she earned All-Conference and All-State honors.

"At first, it was a little intimidating playing on the high school team, but everybody was welcoming," she said. "It was different being part of a team. I didn't know what to expect, so I decided to just do my best."

Lady Mounties golf coach Brenda Alexander said Matthews is a solid ball striker who also made huge strides with her course management. On just her third hole at the Class 7A tourney, Matthews (5-foot-5) carded a nine on the par 4 hole, but she recovered to record 10-straight pars en route to a 6-over 78.

"For her size, I'm not sure if I have seen anyone hit it as far and accurate as she does," Alexander said. "She seems to be in control with her driver and her approach shots. She had a tough start at the state tournament, but she is very competitive. After she finished the third hole, she regrouped and showed how mentally tough she can be. She shot a good round after that."

Matthews said a delay after posting her nine allowed her to refocus on the rest of her round.

"I really tried to keep myself together, and I shot 40 on the front," she said. "I thought that was a pretty good bounce back. That nine was tough to take, but there was a wait on the next hole as we had to wait for the fairway clear. That allowed me to calm down. I got myself back together.

"Other than that nine on that hole, it was a fun week that really boosted my confidence. I feel I can compete with these girls."

Sports on 06/24/2014

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