By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
Cascade senior Tatyana Greene has spent the bulk of her high school career becoming one of the best golfers in the mid-state.
Through her first three years, she’s finished in the top-10 in the Class A state tournament in three-straight appearances.
Now, after a summer of preparation, she’s got her sights set even higher as she prepares for one last run with the Lady Champions.
“I’ve been working a lot on my irons, my shorter irons and my driver overall. Just trying to get those dialed in. They’re looking good right now. Just been working on my game overall,” she said.
Last year, Greene turned an injury that could have been a major setback into an opportunity to improve and that’s just what she did.
While unable to hit the course and work on her long game, Greene used her recovery period to work on her putting and her short game.
In turn, she forged a path back to the state tournament and to a fifth-place overall finish.
Although a return trip to the Class A state tournament would mean the world for the Lady Champion senior, hopes to lead the team to the state tournament this season.
“That would mean the world. That’s always been our goal. We’ve been trying to get there every year, but have just fallen short,” she said.
“Anna Clanton has worked really, really hard. I see her out here every single day, working hard. I think this is our year. We’re working hard, together. We’re on the putting green, playing games. We’re out on the chipping range, seeing who can hit the flags.”
In preparing for her final year of high school competition, Greene has been focusing on a few key elements of her game to make a run at a state title.
“I’ve been hitting the course and having lessons, trying to get better,” she said.
During her freshman season, Greene finished ninth in the final standings in the state tournament.
She followed up with a seventh and fifth-place finish during her sophomore and junior seasons.
Though she’s battled injury and established herself as a key leader for the Cascade golf program over the past few seasons, winning a state championship, as an individual or part of team would mean the world to Greene.
“I’ve been through everything. It’s like a rollercoaster. Reaching the top and succeeding, even with all those hold ups, would mean everything,” she said.
Though some athletes might see the pressure of preparing for their senior season as a negative, Greene says she expects there to be some pressure in her last season with the Lady Champs, but also is excited to relax and just play golf with her teammates.
“I’m ready for my senior year. I’m ready to have fun because that’s what golf is about. It’s about enjoying it, but it’s in a way motivating to come out here every single day and work hard for my goals,” she said.