Staff Reports

DOBSON — Surry Community College golfer Courtney Hawks recently competed at the Region X women’s tournament held in Fayetteville.

Hawks, a 2008 graduate of Forbush High School, placed third, qualifying her for the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla. That event will be played at the LPGA International Legends Golf Course on May 15-19.

Hawks qualified for the NJCAA nationals last year, finishing in the middle of all tournament participants.

Hawks has been the sole female golfer on the Knights golf team for the last two seasons.

“Playing golf with the guys has increased my focus and pushed me to play better,” Hawks said. “A big part of my success has been because of the support and challenge of my teammates, and the encouragement of Coach (Tom) Pendergraft.” Pendergraft, who will make the trip with Hawks and her father, said Hawks has been a special addition to the Knights team.

“Courtney is a quality young woman with a bright future ahead of her,” Pendergraft said. “The fact she has qualified for the National Tournament for the second time in junior college play speaks of her commitment to her academics and the game of golf. “I have enjoyed having her on our team and look forward to hearing about her accomplishments in the years to come.”

Hawks has been playing golf since the fourth grade and will continue her play beyond Surry at Montreat College, where she will major in Elementary Education. Along with her acceptance to Montreat came an invitation to join the golf team.

“I hope that I have as great of an experience with education and golf there as I have had at Surry Community College,” Hawks said.

Hawks is the daughter of Jerry and Melinda Hawks of East Bend.