By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Even though Seaman junior standout Lois Deeter opted not to play the 2020 high school golf season, she was still playing the sport she loves, probably as much, if not more, than ever.
Now Deeter is back with her Viking teammates this fall, and appreciating every minute of it.
"I love my team,'' Deeter said Monday after winning her first city title by five strokes with an even-par 70. "They're so supportive and fun on and off the course.''
After a season away from high school golf, Seaman junior Lois Deeter is off to a great start this fall, including a city title on Monday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Deeter used her time away from high school golf to put in intense work on her game, traveling to Texas to compete in a series of big tournaments and finishing as high as third.
"There's some pros and cons to it,'' Deeter said. "I grew a lot from going and traveling and playing with some really good girls, but I did miss the team, going out and supporting each other.''
After winning the Centennial League title and tying for fifth in the Class 5A state tournament as a freshman in 2019, Deeter has quickly picked off where she left off this fall, winning two of her first three tournaments.
"It's pretty much the same, just go out and play my game and try to beat my own score,'' Deeter said. "That's all golf is, going out and trying to beat yourself. But I'm trying to be a leader on the course, too.
"It's an individual sport, but you have to be there for the rest of your team.''
Deeter feels like she's also continued to mature as a golfer, saying she has worked the most on her short game and the mental aspect of the sport.
"I take a deep breath before each shot,'' she said. "I kind of learned that from Tiger (Woods). He does that every single time.
"There's a lot of golf books my dad (John) made me read for mental stuff. It look awhile to figure out how I work on the golf course mentally.''
Seaman junior Lois Deeter won the individual title by five strokes with an even-par 70 in Monday's city tournament at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The result is that Deeter is enjoying herself every time she picks up a club.
"I'm very relaxed,'' she said with a big smile. "I love being out on the golf course and talking to people. It's so much fun.''
