TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — On Tuesday, the journey to a state title begins for the Maclay girls and boys teams and a few individual competitors, including Saint John Paul II sophomore Patti Patterson.
"I tried every other sport there was, and my parents brought me out to the golf course one day, and I just fell in love with it ever since," said Patterson.
Golf has loved her right back.
"It was definitely the best feeling ever to figure out that I'd qualified," Patterson said.
Patterson will compete in the Class 1A State Championships, just five years after picking up a club for the first time.
"I'm definitely nervous, but I'm definitely more excited," said Patterson.
Her success is the result of a lot of hard work. Seven days a week, Patterson is working to improve her game.
"I would not want it any other way," Patterson said.
Now she's hoping it pays off on the big stage.
"My goal is to go under-par one day and to shoot two rounds 75 and under," said Patterson. "I play better when I'm a little nervous because I push myself. We're trying to figure out a routine for me that I can always fall back and rely on, so when I feel nervous, hopefully, that will help."
Something to fall back on, like her love for the game.
Patterson tees off Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. in the Class 1-A State Championships.
We'll keep you updated on how she and everyone else is doing.
