When senior Kilee Ivy steps onto Legends Golf Course in Kingsland at state on Monday for the fourth time, it will be the finale in a high school career that is unprecedented in Seminole High School history.
“Kilee, to my knowledge, is the first female from Seminole to qualify for the state tournament all four years of high school,” golf Coach Mitch Shain said. “She would tell you that she has a lot of teammates to thank for helping her achieve that, but please understand that Kilee has played a major role in our successes of the last few years.”
Kilee began her career at an early age.
“She got her first set of clubs were about at age 3,” father Chris Ivy said. “I would go to the driving range and bring her along. She began developing a love for the game, and it became our thing.”
Kilee said she got more involved in golf by age 10 when she was able to play in a Lubbock tournament.
“I can remember when I first met Kilee,” Shain said. “I believe she was a fourth grader when I got a call from Chris asking me if I would watch her hit a few balls and give her some pointers. Kilee wasn’t as strong as she is now, so her club was a little across the line at the top. I put a laser on the end of her club, and within four or five swings, she was swinging it like a champ.”
Kilee is shy when talking about herself, but the people who know her are eager to praise her.
“Kilee has a positive mindset,” junior teammate Presley Roberts said. “I wish I could have her mindset. She’s always happy and stays positive during the rounds.”
Chris said motivating Kilee has never been an issue.
“She turns into a different kind of person when she gets on the first tee box,” Chris said. “She dials in mentally and does her best to make the shots and best decisions she can to put herself in a spot to succeed.”
Kilee came in 10th overall with 156 strokes over the two-day region tournament in Lubbock on April 14-15. The Maidens came in one stroke behind Glen Rose team to take third overall and qualify for state.
“Getting to play with some of her friends on a daily basis has also been a driving force to her success,” Chris said. “Throughout golf, many changes happen, whether it is a faster swing speed or just a new mechanic you have to work on. In those times, Kilee is extremely focused on figuring the swing out and getting back to her true playing self.”
Kilee’s process while playing is not always easy to watch, her mother Tiffany Ivy said.
“When Kilee has a bad performance, it’s motivation in itself because she strives to always play her best,” Tiffany said. “As a parent, it’s hard to watch because she is harder on herself than anyone else ever could be.”
Just like always, Kilee uses a bad performance to inspire herself.
“I learn to put it behind me,” Kilee said. “I learn to change my head space and know there are always better things coming.”
Chris said teammate senior Chloe Doerksen and Kilee have been fortunate enough to push one another to become the players they are today.
“Through out the years, Kilee and I have kept each other positive,” Doerksen said. “We see each other when we go onto the next hole. We always try to look over the bad plays and keep on going. We try to make practice fun for everybody as well.”
Kilee signed her letter of intent to play for Lubbock Christian University on April 4.
“I would like to bring responsibility and leadership to LCU,” Kilee said. “Instead of others looking up to me, I will have to look up to other people.”
Chris said he could not be more proud of Kilee.
“Having the support of a great community, family and friends has developed Kilee into the player and person she is today,” Chris said. “Having the determination to fight through and find her true self has always been something she has done well.”
