Reigning All-Big Bend Player of the Year Peyton Johnson set for 1A state golf championships
Peyton Johnson's strategy heading into the Class 1A Florida High School Golf State Championships is pretty straight forward.
The tournament will be conducted over a two-day span starting Nov. 14 and within a 36-hole stroke play format at Mission Resort + Club located in Howey-in-the-Hills.
"I am focusing on putting up a good number that first day, to establish myself on the leaderboard," said Johnson, a junior at Florida High.
"I just want to be steady both days."
Florida High's Peyton Johnson riding plenty of momentum
Johnson – the reigning All-Big Bend Girls Golfer of the Year – has relied on that "steady" approach since gravitating towards golf at a young age.
She also enjoyed volleyball and played softball up until her sophomore year, when she walked away after accomplishing her goal of hitting a home run.
Golf has been Johnson's real passion, and she has dominated the high school the past two years.
This season, for example, Johnson shot under par in every high school match except one. She won the Big Bend and district championships.
Johnson's also riding plenty of momentum into the state tourney after placing third overall in the Region 1 tournament with a 2-under 70. That score earned her an individual state championship qualification.
Johnson will be joined at the state tourney by Maclay, which earned a team bid as it placed second overall in a field of 11 teams at the Region. Additionally, on the boys side, Florida High freshman Michael Glantz earned an individual state championship qualification.
Johnson pointed to key improvements in her game from a year ago that saw her shoot a 1-over 143 in the state championships. She has added length, around 10 yards, to her short game, her irons are more accurate and she feels comfortable on the green.
Johnson also remembers the 18-hole Las Colinas course, known for is open fairways and undulating greens.
"It's a long course. I just remember it was a really long walk," Johnson said and laughed.
When and where is the Class 1A State Golf Championship?
The Class 1A Florida High School Golf State Championships for girls and boys will be held Nov. 14-15 at Mission Resort + Club located in Howey-in-the-Hills. The El Campeon course will conduct the boys’ championships, while Los Colinas course will be home to the girls. The tournament will be conducted over a two-day span and within a 36-hole stroke play format. Teams and individuals have qualified over the last few weeks after advancing through both the District and Regional tournament events.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida High golfer Peyton Johnson set for FHSAA 1A State Championships
