On the golf course, Hope Walthall tries to hold herself with what she referred to as an, “inner vanity.” That technique, undoubtedly, helped her win two state championship rings at El Dorado and shoot a school-record 67 as a senior.

Walthall hopes to hold that very same “inner vanity” along with her to varsity. She signed Wednesday to play at Southeastern Oklahoma State College. 

“This has been a rollercoaster of occasions. It’s been very worrying. I’m not going to lie, I used to be pressured,” Walthall mentioned. “However, signing that paper and understanding I’m going to play school golf and I’ve acquired that secured and at the back of my pocket, I’m past grateful for all of the alternatives. I’m past grateful for what Southeastern has provided me and what they’ve offered me. I’m relieved, grateful, humble … every little thing.”

El Dorado coach Chris Ezell mentioned Walthall will depart El Dorado as a four-time All-Convention and four-time All-State performer.

“I’m so happy with Hope,” mentioned Ezell. “It’s an amazing day to see your athletes have the ability to earn the chance to proceed to play their sport after highschool. After the highschool and prep profession she has achieved, signing to play collegiate golf is the fruits of on a regular basis and energy she has put into her golf sport. She has represented El Dorado effectively and we want her good luck at Southeastern Oklahoma State.”

Walthall shot 85 to earn All-State honors on the 5A State Event this season. Her 67 received medalist on the 5A South Convention Event. She helped the Girl Wildcats win back-to-back state championships as a sophomore and a junior.

“I used to be very happy with my efficiency. Convention couldn’t have gone any higher,” she mentioned. “State might’ve been higher. I didn’t attain my purpose to get to Overalls however it’s O.Ok. as a result of that’s golf. I’m not going to let it cease me or get me down or no matter. However, total, I used to be very happy with how I performed and the way I stored myself collectively.”

Along with Southeastern Oklahoma, Walthall additionally visited UA-Monticello and Oklahoma Wesleyan. She mentioned the Savage Storm program was love at first sight.

“I completely fell in love with it. We went and toured (in November) and I completely fell in love. I really like the city. I really like the college. I really like the individuals there, the coaches, the lecturers, every little thing about it. It was screaming house,” she mentioned. “I did have my different choices however after I visited that school I used to be like, ‘Yeah, that’s the one.’ I knew it after I acquired within the truck to go house. It’s my place.”

Walthall mentioned the campus in Durant, Okla., is 4 ½ to five hours from house. 

“I feel it’s the best distance. My dad and mom don’t need me tremendous shut so I can come house each weekend however in addition they don’t need me tremendous far. They just like the 5 hours,” she defined.

Southeastern will introduce ladies’s golf within the 2023-24 season. 

It will likely be eligible for the 2024 Nice American Convention championship. 

Savage Storm golf coach Sydney Youngblood competed at Oklahoma and is a local of Durant.

“I do know the coach could be very educated in her golf subject. She performed school golf at Oklahoma College. She is aware of what she’s doing,” mentioned Walthall. “That’s one of many principal causes or a giant motive I went there. I simply know I’ll have the ability to develop as a golfer along with her data and talent.”

Walthall, who mentioned she plans to review nursing, mentioned her golf sport is a continuing work in progress. However she desires to deal with the psychological facet as she takes the game to the following degree.

“That’s each psychological and bodily. You must work in your sport however you possibly can’t let your self get cocky or boastful. You can also’t let your self suppose, ‘you suck.’ You must have inner vanity but in addition be humble sufficient to know,” she defined.

What’s inner vanity?

“It’s one thing me and my dad and mom discuss so much. Each golfer at each match we play, it’s a must to go right into a match with this inner vanity saying, sure, that is my match,” mentioned Walthall.

“I’m going to do good. That is my sport. I’m going to win. However you can also’t be so cocky on the skin the place you’re so boastful and it doesn’t work. You must consider in your self.”

For Walthall, Wednesday’s signing marked the top of 1 highway and the start of one other. She had numerous assist finishing the primary a part of her journey.

“There’s two folks that have impacted my golf sport and my life,” she started, “primary being, Coach Artwork Noyes from Youngsters-n-Golf. He’s my saving grace in golf. He has introduced me again to like the sport. He’s been there for me from day one. I’d not be right here with out him. I’m past grateful. He’s God’s best present to me. He’s the most effective individuals I do know for my golf.

“The second individual can be my coach (Chris Duncan) down in Louisiana. He has introduced my bodily and psychological sport means to love I’ve by no means seen in my life. He’s made me develop as a golfer in so some ways and I recognize him a lot.”