Accomplished golfer

As a freshman in high school, Kelsey Meyer accomplished something few Missouri golfers have done.

She won individual state titles in 2003 and 2005.

But, that’s not all. In 2006, she helped lead the Nerinx Hall girl’s golf team to its first state title.

“The kid is just amazing,” Nerinx Hall coach Tammie Deschler said. “She’s so level headed and she has a great work ethic.”

This fall, Meyer will join Missouri women’s golf team, but Thursday she was focused on defending her 2006 title at Missouri Women’s Golf Association Junior Championship,

The top five finishers in this year’s championship, held at the A.L. Gustin Golf Course, will represent Missouri team in the Four State Team Championship against Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska. Missouri holds the 2006 title.

Meyer played below average in Thursday’s first round. She shot an 82 and is in ninth behind Alisha Matthews of St. Louis (75), Lindsey Eisenreich of Fenton (78) and the 2006 Four State champion, Mary Kate Bird of Kansas City (78).

To keep her title, Meyer will have to beat Matthews by eight strokes in today’s competition.

“When I’m not doing well,” Meyer said. “I always try to tell myself to swing to the target. I’ll have to do that because there are some good girls in this competition.”

Columbia golfers Anna Coil and Danielle Keller were further back, Coil at 88 and Keller at 104.

Meyer left more at her high school than numerous records. Accoding to Deschler, she left a standard for the rest of the team to uphold.

“She’s the perfect role model to the girls,” Deschler said. “Kelsey set the example of what’s expected, so the two (senior) girls coming up next year have seen what to do for three years now.” Deschler said.

Meyer grew up in a family of golfers that sometimes planned vacations around her golf tournaments. Her mother, Robyn Meyer, said she never found as much success as her daughter.

“I’m the worst golfer in the family,” Robyn Meyer said with a smile. “I think Kelsey even beat me when she was about eight.”

While Kelsey Meyer says she’s prepared for college and playing for the Tigers, she is looking forward to one privilege a bit more than the others.

“I can’t wait to not have a bed time,” she said.