Anna Stiehler is no stranger to big time golf moments.
She won the Tri-State Conference golf title in 2018 and has been playing competitively since the fourth grade.
But this was a little different stage.
Call it Stiehler’s coming out party.
With a ninth place finish out of 64 golfers in the NCHSAA Class 1A/2A regional golf tournament on Monday, Stiehler qualifies for the NCHSAA Class 1A/2A state championship tournament. The tournament will be held at Longleaf Golf Club in Pinehurst, Oct. 28-29.
With the remnants of tropical storm Nestor making playing conditions horrific with 25 mph winds, rain, mist, fog and temperatures in the mid-40s, Stiehler’s 91 over 18 holes was more indicative of the foul weather than her quality of play, said coach and father Brian Stiehler.
“I’m so proud of the way she hung in there and stayed focused given the conditions and pace of play.”
Stiehler called the weather the worst conditions to play in over the seven hours golfers were on the course.
Anna Stiehler said she is looking forward to making her debut at the state level.
“I am very excited to be representing Highlands School this upcoming weekend at state,” she said. “I know there’s going to be a lot of competition there but I’m ready to see how I do.”
