Granger senior wins region golf title

By Greg James |  [email protected]

Granger senior golfer, Ryan Stone, finished the season as the Region 2 medalist.

“She has had steady improvement each year,” Granger head golf coach Shawn Crowther said. “When she came out as a freshman I think her and her dad had played a little bit, but she wanted to be a golfer and get as good as possible. Then each year she had a strong desire to get better.”

Stone began playing as a freshman for the Granger golf team. She had little experience. 

“I would have classified her as very much a beginner category. She really enjoys the game and her dad (Scott Stone) loves the game as well. They go out together, they go play and it is a family bonding time. They just go and play,” Crowther said.

She finished as the Region 2 medalist (first place) this spring by shooting an 89 at the final region golf match. As a junior she won the last four tournaments on the schedule and continued that streak by sweeping all of the events this spring.

“Our region is not quite as advanced as other regions, but I try to teach these kids that there are so many opportunities as a golfer. All you need to do is come out and play,” Crowther said.

Stone has received a scholarship to attend William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She will be a member of the women’s golf team. The WPU Statesman have won four consecutive region womens’ golf titles and finished in the top-20 each of those seasons. They compete in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

“This is one of the most successful programs on campus full of student athletes who want to succeed in life,” WPU athletic director Nik Rule said. Rule is the interim head women's golf coach. Their previous coach stepped down in March to prepare to receive a bachelor's degree.

Granger finished second in Region 2 behind Hunter. Labrea Matteson finished third in Region. 

“Golf is a game they can play for a long time. After I finished high school I could never play football again, but hey, I can swing my clubs anytime. It is a great sport that you can do throughout your life,” Crowther said.

Playing golf can make it difficult to maintain good grades.

“We have to yank them out of school a lot during the spring. Golf courses fit us in when they can. So it takes some discipline and planning with their teachers. They really need to organize themselves so they can get their school work done and be a good student and still play golf,” Crowther said.

Stone made the most of her opportunities. 

“One thing stood out to me about her (Stone). When it is boys season in the fall I would remind the girls to practice. She is one that would come out and practice with the boys. She was not intimidated, she is not as good and kind of shy, but she just wanted to get better. She worked at it,” Crowther said.