Four years on varsity.
Four years to state.
This was the path taken by one of MHS’ girls golfers.
Her name is Anne Govern. Following a first place district finish, Govern finished second at sectionals on Oct. 6. The finish qualified Govern for the state competition for the fourth year in a row.
Govern’s second place finish added to her wide array of accomplishments throughout this season.
In fact, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch awarded Govern Post-Dispatch Athlete of the Week for the week of Monday Sept. 13 through Saturday Sept. 18. She was one of only seven other athletes that were honored for their accomplishments.
During the week Govern, senior, won the Lindbergh Invitational with a 5-over 77, building her collection of victories this season. This year, Govern won every dual and tri-match in which she has golfed in.
“[The key] is practice, dedication and controlling my emotions on the course,” Govern said. “I try not to get too upset after a bad hole or too excited after a good hole.”
Govern is a four-year varsity member of the golf team. Govern finished 6th as a sophomore and 23rd as a junior at the state competition. Last year, she was a key part in the squad that went undefeated in conference play.
Since she is a veteran and the only senior on the team, Govern said she does whatever she can to be a leader.
“I am not the loudest person, so I try to lead by example,” Govern said. “I encourage the girls and share with them anything that I know.”
Maya Horsford, junior, is one golfer that has found Govern to be beneficial as a teammate.
“She always gives good advice and supports everyone on the team,” Horsford said. “The team respects her because she is a great golfer and a person as well.”
This year, Govern, with the help of Horsford and others guided the Mustangs to a 7-3 record. She led the team in conference points.
Govern picked up the game from her dad who was a golf pro, and started playing when she was eight years old. She got hooked to the game, and hasn’t stopped since. She currently takes lessons in the winter, then plays or practices golf every day from May to the start of the fall season.
“She practices a lot,” Horsford said. “Even when there isn’t a scheduled practice, you know Anne will be out there practicing.”
Eric Schweain, varsity golf coach, said this is in part why Govern fits the mold of the perfect golfer.
“Anne is a great golfer because she works so hard at it and has for many years,” Schweain said.
For now, Govern said she is just focused on individually playing her best. She doesn’t have any set plans for the future. Once deciding upon a college to attend, she will then be in contact with the coaches to see if she would like to join the golf team.
Wherever Govern’s future takes her, she has left her mark at MHS, especially in the eyes of her head coach, who has coached both boys and girls golf for the last several years.
“She is the epitome of the perfect golfer: cool, calm and collected,” Schweain said. “She is the best, most consistent MHS golfer that I have ever coached.”
Govern’s journey for the state title will begin Sunday Oct. 17 at Twin Oaks Country Club in Springfield, MO.
With last years winner McCall Christopher gone, Govern said her biggest competitors will be St. Joe senior Gina Dell Camera and Joni Purvis from Candenton.
They tied for second at the state competion last year.
Govern said that she will have to focus on playing two very solid rounds during the tournament.
“I don’t care about how the other girls do,” Govern said. “I am just going to focus on playing my game.”
Although, despite the good competion from the other competitiors, Govern still believes that she will be able to come home with the state title.
“If everything goes as planned, I think I have a good shot at winning the state title.” Govern said.