After being named the GHSA Class A Division II Golfer of the Year, Lake Oconee Academy’s Kallyn Black has continued to improve her golf game by participating in tournaments over the summer.
In one of her most recent events, the Lady Titans’ state low-medalist qualified for the 74th U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship due to her performance at a qualifier round held June 27 at Indian Hills Country Club in Atlanta.
Black ended the round shooting an even-par 72, finishing alongside Thanana Kotchasanmanee of Thailand as the top-two qualifiers out of 30 participants.
Kallyn’s father, Bobby Black, told the Lake Oconee News that she struck the ball well and that having her brother, Ryland, caddie for her really made all the difference.
“She played conservative and hit a lot of greens, and actually, her brother caddied for her since parents aren’t allowed to caddie at these events, and that really helped her. She had to actually go into a playoff with another girl that’s committed to Georgia (Hailey Han), and was fortunate enough to win that,” Bobby said. “But, Ryland does a great job and plays golf as well, so he knows what he’s doing. She’s been excited he’s been able to caddie for her because it makes her feel more comfortable in big tournaments, and he’ll be caddying for her at the Championship as well.”
Black, who has been golfing for a handful of years now, was named the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour Player of the Year for the 12-14 year age division in 2022, and she’s carried that success into 2023.
On top of the recent qualification, the rising sophomore has also found success at Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA) events, Georgia PGA events and Peggy Kirk Bell Girls’ Golf Tour tournaments.
Most recently, Black finished tied for fifth overall at the GSGA’s Georgia Women’s Amateur Championship played at Horseshoe Bend Country Club in Roswell. She shot a 75, 73 and 69 over the course of the three-day event held from June 30 to July 2.
Now, she prepares for the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship being held at the Eisenhower Golf Course in Colorado Springs, Colo., this upcoming week. It will be the first time this tournament will be played on an active military installation, and the event will host 150 of the nation’s top female golfers under the age of 18.
Black’s father acknowledged that she’s been using her free time to prepare for the tournament, and has been really focusing on her short game to capitalize on balls around the green.
“She works a lot on her short game, chipping and putting, very well, and I would say that’s the strongest part of her game,” Bobby said. “However, a lot of that you can’t even practice until you’re out at the course because every green is different, but she’ll work with her swing instructor Taylor [Crosby], and fine-tune everything she can before the U.S. Girls Championship.”
The semifinals of the event will be broadcast on Peacock starting July 21, and based on how well she plays, Black could earn an exemption to play in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open.