Recently graduated Lady Tiger golfer Kasay Holbrook was named golfer of the year by the Gainesville Times last month.

Holbrook led the Lady Tigers to a second place finish at the state golf tournament in May.

Holbrook led her team to a 20-1 record this past season and won the Region 8-AA title three consecutive years for the Lady Tigers. Holbrook was also the 2-time AA state runner-up.

Holbrook will continue her golf career at Division I Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C.

Holbrook recently played in the North/South Georgia All-Star event in Moultrie. Holbrook shot a 70 for the 13-hole event, finishing 2-under par. She paired with future Blue Hose John Solmes from Westminster to take a co-ed match from Josh Cone of Thomas County Central and Jordan Grantham of Brookstone in the All-Star event.

Holbrook also defeated Kyndal Turner of Galloway by a 8 and 7 margin, as the North ran away with the event over the South team.

"It's exciting to see Kasay continue to improve. She constantly gets better and better. She still has plenty of potential left. I believe she will continue to do great things at the next level," said Lady Tiger Head Coach Shari Chastain.

"Kasay's a great kid. She's smart, funny, has a great work ethic, a tremendous team leader and I have no doubt she'll be successful in the future, no matter what she does," Chastain told the Gainesville Times.

Despite all of her individual accomplishments, Holbrook is most pleased with the fact that the Lady Tigers improved on their finish at state each of her four seasons. The Lady Tigers placed ninth in 2006 and third in 2007.

"I was really happy that we finished as state runner-up this season. My sophomore year I decided I wanted to make it to state every year," Holbrook told the Times.

Holbrook is noted for being a fighter on the golf course. Several times during her career she has recovered to capture a victory despite the odds.

Holbrook was down by a stroke to a golfer from Greater Atlanta Christian with only three holes to play in the region championship only to come out on top. Chastain said, "Kasay has the mental strength to attack challenges and recovers nicely. She's always composed on the course."

During the state meet her junior season Holbrook suffered from mononucleosis. She had to miss both practice rounds at Hard Labor Creek. Holbrook planned her attack after riding around with Chastain the day before the state event. Despite being drained of energy, Holbrook finished only one stroke behind, to finish second.

For all her efforts, hard work, and battling Holbrook was a deserving recipient of the 2008 Gainesville Times Golfer-of-the-Year Award.

E-mail Pam Jacobs at sports@dawsonnews.com.