Sophomore golfer Marlee Edgeman went down in history Tuesday, Oct. 19 as Marshfield’s first ever state champion golfer after shooting a combined score of 151. Edgeman recorded a 72 on Monday’s score card and a 79 Tuesday, leading her to the four-stroke win at the Class 2 Missouri State Golf Championships.
“I knew I had a chance after the first day and then on the 18th green,I was standing back watching everybody putt and it just kind of hit me,” Edgeman recalled. “I won state.”
She posted the top score of Monday’s competition and went into Tuesday’s round with confidence. Going into the 16th hole, Edgeman was up six strokes.
“I was winning by six strokes so when I hit the ball into native grass I could have taken a stroke out, but I thought I could get it out,” she said. “I couldn’t hit it out. I had to reset my mind and knew that I could birdie the next hole… and that’s what I did.”
“Unfortunately she didn’t get out of it and lost four strokes, then because of the type of placer she is, she just drilled the 17th drive right down he middle and birdied.. that’s how mentally tough she was,” said Coach Cheratin Hunter. “That’s how Marlee played those two days at state. I’ve never seen her more focused.”
After a birdie bounce back on the 17th hole, Edgeman began to realize what she had accomplished. As a golfer that has been dedicated to the game since she was four years old, she had been working toward this moment for the majority of her life. According to Coach Hunter, her biggest focus was to keep Edgeman mentally tough.
“I thought to myself, I could birdie but if I didn’t it would have been okay,” she explained. “I was in the lead by two strokes.”
Edgeman recorded the No. 2 overall score in Tuesday’s round, earning her the championship title. Her win at the state competition is not only the first for Marshfield’s girls golf program, but the boys program as well.
“Being on the athlete side of things and winning two state championships is pretty cool in itself but also doing it as a coach, it’s a different feeling,” Hunter beamed. “I can’t even explain that feeling really besides just extreme proudness for Marlee. She’s made this journey absolutely fun.”
Overall, Marshfield has produced five state competitors for girls golf in the seven years Coach Cheratin Hunter has been with the program. Marshfield Senior Brianna Henderson also qualified for this year’s state competition, shooting her personal best with a 96. According to Coach Hunter, Henderson and Edgeman were close all season and pushed each other as teammates. When Edgeman won, Henderson was waiting at the 18th hole to congratulate her.
“I felt like Brianna played really well at state. Last year she barely missed the cut of going to state and this year she did it. It was awesome. She had two good days, had a couple holes that gave her some trouble but I’m so proud of how she played,” Hunter added. “The camaraderie between the two was unlike any other… I couldn’t ask for a better two players.”
The swings don’t stop at state. Edgeman has two more years of high school to compete says she will continue bettering her game and is set to compete in a tournament in Florida over Halloween weekend.
“I’ll also be traveling for tournaments in November and December, and all next year,” she added.
“I remember when she came up just as a little girl and she had her little skort on… then when she was 8 or 9 I started noticing her swing, she has such a beautiful swing and she’s here all the time,” said Bonnie Taylor of Whispering Oaks Golf Course. “She has legitimately worked harder than any student golfer I have ever seen.”
Edgeman also plans to spend a significant amount of time on Marshfield’s home golf course at Whispering Oaks prior to next season. According to the state champion, several members of her family have been members of the golf club since she first picked up a club at age four.
“Marlee is very dedicated to the game, she never stops playing golf and I think that’s one thing that separates her from other golfers Marshfield has had. She has a swing coach in Florida that she sees on a regular basis and she’s always taking lessons so she’s constantly trying to improve and better herself nonstop,” Taylor added.
“She is truly such a beautiful person. There’s nothing arrogant about her at all. She’s here to golf, do her business, be polite in the process and then get to work. She’s a perfect ambassador for girls golf and also for our high school and country club.”
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