By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
BESSEMER – Merritt Daniel is the youngest player on the Hewitt-Trussville girls’ golf team. In fact, Daniel still has another year before she will actually be in high school, as she will be an eighth grader this coming year.
During the season, Merritt finished fourth at the Auburn Invitational, third at the Spain Park Invitational, tied for second at the Arab Invitational and third at the Wildcat Invitational s well as a second overall finish in the North Substate Tournament at Timberline.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Merritt Daniel, 2024 Alabama Junior Golf State Champion.
Photo by. AGA
On July 25, the final round of the Alabama state 13 & Under Junior Championship tournament was held at Bent Brook Golf Course in Bessemer, Alabama, where Merritt Daniel claimed the overall championship in the girl’s division.
Merritt entered the second day of the tournament with a two-stroke lead after shooting a four under, 67 on the first day, but she had to fight off unfavorable weather conditions and her competitors were nipping at her heels.
Reese Powell, of Oak Mountain, started the day off hot and was in pursuit of Merritt all day. Reese took over the top spot at one point during the day, heading into the back nine. Teammate Emma Bark, a senior on Hewitt’s Lady Husky golf team, served as her caddy in the tournament, and with her help, Merritt made some incredible shots.
The tournament came down to a final hole, a par four with intimidating bunkers around the green and water in front of it. The competition threatened, but Merritt was able to secure the win with a solid par putt on the last hole.
Merritt finished the tournament with a five under, 137. Reese, who is a good friend of Merritt’s, had a great tournament, shooting four, under 138 to win second place.
Merritt’s coach, Maggie Rasberry said, “I was lucky enough to see Merritt in action at this tournament. Sometimes golf comes down to the short game, but for Merritt, she had to play the long game all day. She hung in there to make sure to keep it close and was able to lock in when it counted most. Even though Merritt is the youngest member of our varsity team, she is wise beyond her years. She teaches us a little about patience every time she plays. I was thrilled to see all of her hard work pay off with the win. She absolutely deserved it!”
Merritt, who got her first clubs when she was six, upon inspiration from her brother playing golf, started really focusing on golf at the age of nine. “That is when schools shut down because of COVID, so I was able to spend a lot of time on the golf course. It was during this time that I realized how much I loved the game and started competing in U.S. Kids tournaments. From there, I started to love competitive golf and started playing different tours. My dream is to play college golf and move on to the LPGA Tour.”
Merritt’s mom, Michelle, spoke of her daughter and her golf journey. “We (Michelle and father, Jason) are truly blessed to be Merritt’s parents. She is someone who works hard to achieve her goals in all aspects of her life. While we are proud of everything she has done on the golf course at such a young age, we are most proud of the person she is and how she lives her life with integrity and treats others with kindness. She is wise beyond her years and has a humble spirit.”
“I am thankful that God blessed me with the ability to play a game that I love,” continued Merritt. “I pray that when I am on the course, I am glorifying Him with my actions and pointing others toward Him. One of my favorite golfers, Scottie Scheffler, recently said, ‘golf is just something that I do, it’s not my life,’ I try to keep that mindset and perspective as I pursue my dreams.”
