Crocker Qualifies for Region Tourney
By JOHN HALL, Correspondent
Sep 28, 2012, 16:15
Hopewell senior Maddy Crocker chips towards the pin on Monday at the Central District Golf Tournament in Chesterfield. Crocker qualified for her third Central Region tournament (photo by Jacob Vaughan).
For Hopewell High School golf standout Maddy Crocker and her coach, Bob Witherow, it is truly a mutual admiration society.
“She is such an intelligent, talented and dependable person,” Witherow said after Crocker earned a third trip to the Central Region Golf Tournament on Monday.
On her coach, Crocker offered, “I wouldn’t trade my experience of playing for coach Witherow for anything. He is always encouraging us and impressing upon us the importance of doing the right thing on and off the course.”
The battle-tested senior comfortably won a spot in this year’s region bracket, finishing second to Dinwiddie’s Peyton Durham among individuals in the Central District tournament. Crocker fired an 86 over the very tough Country Club at the Highlands course in Chesterfield.
The last two years, she showed her mettle by winning playoffs to get into region play, a distinction she does not take lightly.
“It is such an honor for me to represent Hopewell High School in the Central Region,” she said.
The daughter of Charles and Margie Crocker says her favorite subjects in school are English and history, but her passions are music and golf.
She credits her father for laying a foundation by showing her how to play her first guitar chords at age six and introducing her to golf with a trip to Chesterfield’s First Tee shortly thereafter.
Crocker also has played basketball, softball and tennis. High school golf in Virginia is predominantly a male sport and she is happy to have been joined on this year’s Blue Devils team by friend Maygan Persinger.
“My teammates have always been nice and respectful toward me,” Crocker said. “We are truly a united team – not the best, but we support one another and have fun.”
As a golfer, Crocker tries to emulate Phil Mickelson.
“He is a great golfer, but more importantly he always carries himself as a gentleman,” she said. “I admire his involvement in so many charities and good works.”
A member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Music National Honor Society and the Hopewell Jazz Ensemble, Crocker hopes to continue her education at either Virginia Commonwealth University or Georgia’s Emmanuel College. She plans to major in music and business.
For now, however, Hopewell’s No. 1 golfer will proudly carry her school’s banner next week at Jefferson Lakeside (Monday) and Stonehenge (Tuesday).
She also plans to enter the Central Region girls qualifier, which will be held on Oct. 16 at Meadowbrook Country Club.
Hopewell senior Maddy Crocker tees off during the Central District Golf Tournament on Monday in Chesterfield (photo by Jacob Vaughan).
