These girls are good
By Dr. Jean Harris
Contributor
Last month, the May River Girls Golf Team won their fourth State Championship in program history, as well as back-to-back. Robbin Zetrouer was the 2024 individual State Champion, joining Claire Green, who was the 2023 State Champion.
These two high school seniors have been friends since age 10 when they were both in the LPGA Girls Golf Program. Krista Dunton and I were program directors, and we knew these girls were special.
They both started out playing other sports, but realized that to be good in golf, you need to play a lot of junior golf tournaments. Once they got to high school, it was only golf. Claire never took a day off. “If you want to get good at something, you must put time and effort into it,” she said. Claire’s instruction included many professionals. “I went through five local professionals and now go to one locally. I also go to specialists in Sea Island, Georgia. I have a putting specialist, chipping specialist and a mental coach.”
Robbin took a different route. “I started out in LPGA Girls Golf and made a lot of friends. I continued taking lessons once a week with LPGA Professional Krista Dunton. Once I got to middle school and high school, I really took golf seriously. Golf is a game of passion, and golf is my passion,” she said.
Both girls will be playing golf at the college level. They started contacting schools in their sophomore year. According to Robbin, “The process of getting a golf scholarship was stressful. You have to email coaches, make phone calls and market yourself.” Claire was ranked highly in the state of South Carolina and visited most of the schools in the state that offered golf scholarships. “Late in the recruiting process last November, Clemson came into play. I knew that I would fit in there.” Robbin decided to go out of state. She chose St. Francis University in Pennsylvania. “I choose St. Francis because of my faith, their coach and golf program. They also have a five-year master’s degree program in Occupational Therapy, and that is what I want to do as a career.”
Both girls said that academics was very important in their selection of college programs. Claire stated that “dedication to golf and dedication to academics run hand in hand. When you get to college, you are a student-athlete.”
These girls are really excited to go off to college. Claire stated that “it is bittersweet. It seems like yesterday when I was in the Girls Golf clinics. However, I am really excited to see the next chapter in my golf career and my new opportunities.”
I asked both girls if they had any advice that they could give younger girls who want to play college golf. Robbin stated, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and reach out to the older girls who are your role models on your high school team.” Claire enjoyed being on a team and sharing her knowledge of golf to the younger players.
It has been my privilege to know these girls and their parents for eight years, and I know they will succeed, not only in golf but in their life’s endeavors.
Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional at Pinecrest Golf Club. Jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com
