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Katona's dream comes true with golf scholarship

Golfer Hailey Katona of Tilbury has signed with Georgia Southern University.

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Hailey Katona has signed a lot of scorecards over the years.

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Writing her name on a national letter of intent to play golf at Georgia Southern University felt much different.

“Definitely emotional,” said the 17-year-old from Tilbury. “As a little girl, you would always dream of the moment that you sign your letter of intent. That was really fun to live that moment finally.

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“It’s a great relief and a lot of excitement as well because it’s official now. Next year I’m going to be in college at this time, which is crazy but super exciting.”

The Tilbury District High School student waited for more than a year to sign with the Eagles.

She verbally committed in late November 2018 to the NCAA Division I school in Statesboro, Ga.

“I’ve definitely been looking forward to today for a long time,” the Tilbury Golf Club member said Wednesday. “This year has been pretty crazy and I’m excited to start the next chapter of my life at GSU.”

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Katona knew right away Georgia Southern was the school for her.

“When I visited last September for my official visit, it felt like home,” she said. “People always say you get this feeling that you know you’re going to go to this school or you know that this school is the one, and I got that.

“The practice facility is amazing, the coaches are both amazing and all the girls on the team are great, so it was the right fit for me.”

Eagles coach Emily Kuhfeld had a good first impression of Katona as well.

“From Day 1 of getting to know her, it was clear I was speaking with someone who ‘gets it,’” Kuhfeld said in a statement. “Hailey loves to compete and really understands that it is the small improvements made daily that add up to the big picture of her goals and dreams. She is an extremely hard worker on the course and gets it done as well in the classroom.”

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Katona is a five-time LKSSAA champion and the 2018 OFSAA champion. She played three years with Team Ontario.

She tied for 15th at the 2019 Ontario women’s amateur championship. In 2018, she was 11th at the Ontario junior championship and tied for 21st at the Canadian junior championship.

“She is a great fit at Georgia Southern for many reasons: she embodies the blue-collar work ethic and competitiveness we so value, as well as having a sweet and kind personality that will fit in with our team,” Kuhfeld said. “Hailey will be a key piece of the puzzle for us.”

Katona will major in history. She’s ready to put in the hours to keep her scores low and her grades high.

“I’m definitely going to have to work hard,” she said. “I already do. And then I’ve got to keep my grades up. I’ve got to work hard in school, too.”

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When Katona went looking for a college, she wanted to be able to golf outdoors year-round. She also wanted a school that felt like home. Georgia Southern was a perfect fit.

“I was looking for a small-town feel because … Tilbury’s a small town,” she said. “It’s a big school, but you definitely get that small-town feel.”

She’s ready to put her name in the Eagles’ record book.

“I definitely want to set some records for our program,” she said. “And I want to get the word about Georgia Southern out. We are a newer program. We’ve only been around for five or six years, but I would love to get the word out in Canada and especially Ontario about this school.”

Katona trains at Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor with pro Ryan Robillard.

“She has worked so hard and has dedicated so much of her life to the sport,” TDHS coach Kim Belanger said in a statement. “People do not realize how much commitment and perseverance this amazing athlete has for the game of golf.”

Katona has lowered her average to 73.4 in the past year.

“I’m definitely getting better,” she said. “My scoring average has gone down. I am happier, so that leads to better golf. I’m more consistent. I’m feeling really good about my game and I think it’s going to take me very far if this trend continues.

“I’ve had a bunch of rounds under par this season, so that’s always good. It’s definitely been a strong year.”

She’s aiming for a career in golf after graduating.

“I am hoping to go professional. We’ll see in a few years,” she said, laughing.

Hailey Katona of Tilbury, Ont., signs with Georgia Southern University at Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ont., on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. (Contributed Photo)
Hailey Katona of Tilbury, Ont., signs with Georgia Southern University at Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ont., on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. (Contributed Photo)
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