Meghann Stamps
Meghann Stamps has enjoyed her journey, even as repetitive as it has been.
The Hendersonville High School golf standout is looking forward to the next chapter too.
Stamps did a lot of repeating this fall, and once again, she’s been selected as the Sumner County Female Golfer of the Year on the All-County Golf Team.
Meghann Stamps
Stamps qualified for the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) Class AAA State Tournament for the third consecutive season, finishing in a two-way tie for 27th place as a senior after placing 19th as a junior and 16th as a sophomore.
She finished as the medalist at the District 9-AAA Tournament for the third consecutive season, posting an average round of 79 as a senior. However, the Lady Commandos weren’t able to repeat as the 9-AAA team champions, finishing as the runner-up instead.
The 17-year-old Stamps recently became one of just three Hendersonville High female golfers to sign a Division-I scholarship over the last 15 years, joining Belmont University golfers Lorie Warren and Janet Steen. Stamps will continue her education and playing career at Austin Peay State University.
She was also the Tennessean/Metro Parks Schooldays Golf Tournament runner-up in 2014, and Stamps was twice selected to compete in the Tennessee Junior Cup, which consists of eight of the top amateur female golfers from across the state (in addition to 20 of the top male amateurs).
Stamps recently discussed her senior season, her prep career and a variety of other topics. Her feedback is as follows …
While there was a lot of success, your senior season had a lot ups and downs. Was that difficult to cope with at times?
It has been (mixed). I think I’ve grown a whole lot this year. It really started at the beginning of the year. It really peaked in the summer. It went up and down for a while. Overall, it’s been a great year. I’ve still been practicing. I feel like I’ve made three breakthroughs in a row (with lessons and practices). Compared to this time last year, I feel I’ve made a huge leap. It’s minor ups and downs, but in total, I’ve grown the whole year. I’m getting a lot more tournament ready.
Are you looking forward to college?
I have butterflies just thinking about it. I’m so excited. I’ve been up and met the team, the coach and the assistant coach. Austin Peay is just perfect for me. It’s going to be the right atmosphere at the right time.
Meghann Stamps
Why did you select Austin Peay?
The two main reasons were the coach and how close it is to my home. It’s literally just an hour away. That was a big part of what we were looking for. Coach Sara (Robson) has known me since I was little. That helps me to know that I have somebody who has been on my side for a few years. She knows what she is getting and what to expect. She’s made me feel assured about everything. I already love my future team.
Talk about your academic accomplishments.
I take all honors courses. I’ve maintained a 4.0 (grade-point average). I’m in National Honor Society and Beta Club.
You have a lot of experience in public speaking. How did you get involved in that?
FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) … I won first (place) at region and state my sophomore year and got eighth in the nation. My junior year, I won region and got third in state. I was eligible to compete in the nationals in Chicago, but I had a golf tournament that weekend that was really important. I feel like I’ve been born with a natural ability to speak in public. I don’t feel shy about it. I feel like God wants to me use that to promote him and promote his word. Whatever steps I can take in that area, I want to take it. I’ve been fortunate enough to have teachers who feel so strong about FBLA that they’ve gotten me in these competitions. A big part of it is (that) my parents have raised to me to not be afraid to speak in public. They’re a big part of it too.
Meghann Stamps
Talk to me about your parents – Greg and Kerrey – and their influence.
They’ve been absolutely wonderful. Every since I was seven years old, they’ve paid for lessons and tournaments and been there every step of the way without complaining and not making me feel like they had to sacrifice anything, but I know they have. My mom has been at every practice and match. She puts as much into it as I do. She’s made the opportunities line up for me … she and God have.
What are you going to miss about being a golfer at Hendersonville High?
I’m going to miss my girls team. Even though three of them are freshmen, I’ve already bonded with them. I’m going to miss Coach (Andy) Gilley. He’s been great about setting everything up and making everything flow for this team. He’s been a good leader, and I’m going to miss the boys team too.
Meghann Stamps
There has been so much success for the boys golf program at Hendersonville. Has that been difficult to see the boys program have that level of success while trying to achieve a level of success for the girls program?
In its own way, golf really is an individual sport. I feel like I can walk away from high-school golf and say that I’ve focused on improving myself. If anything, the boys team has helped me along the way. I’ve gotten advice from them before, and I’ve helped some of the freshmen this year. It also makes me want to be a leader on the girls team. I just feel like I can lead the younger girls so that one day when they are freshmen, they can help the golfers who join.
Hendersonville head coach Andy Gilley’s thoughts on Stamps … Meghann will go down in our school’s history as not only one of the best golfers we have had but as one of the best female athletes we have had. Her work ethic and practice habits have been second to none. Her class and grace at all times – on and off the golf course, in the classroom and the way she carries herself throughout life – are examples for all of the young ladies on our golf team. She represents every single sense of the phrase student-athlete. Not many athletes can compete at the highest level as she has and carry a 4.0 GPA. She has been a tremendous leader for our young girls. Perhaps the best compliment you can give someone is to say that if you had a daughter, you would hope she would turn out to be just like someone. I can truly say that this would be the case for me. There’s not a better young lady than Meghann Stamps.
Reach Craig Harris atcharris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports.
Previous Female Golfers of the Year
2014 Meghann Stamps, Jr., Hendersonville
2013 Leah Deagle, Sr., Station Camp
2012 Abbie Gregory, Sr., Beech
2011 Abbie Gregory, Jr., Beech
2010 Katie Legge, Sr., Portland
2009 Katie Legge, Jr., Portland
2008 Janet Steen, Sr., Hendersonville
