South Pointe’s Carter signs to play golf at Winthrop

Whitney Carter had driven by Winthrop University’s campus countless times by herself or with her family. She’d been to the off-campus Coliseum, but had never set foot on the school’s actual grounds.

When the South Pointe senior finally did, she was surprised.

“At first I thought I’d never want to go to Winthrop because it’s in Rock Hill, but I kind of thought about it and I went to Winthrop and visited and I really loved the campus and the facilities and everything they had,” Carter said. “After I rethought I thought that’d be a great idea. I love Rock Hill so it’d be a great fit for me.”

Carter, an All-State and North-South golfer this fall, signed with Winthrop and coach Jodi Wendt on Tuesday. She joins an Eagles program that is undergoing a youth movement . Six of this season’s seven players are sophomores or freshmen, including former South Pointe standout Chandler Case.

“If I work hard and continue what I’m doing, I’ve definitely got a chance of making it,” said Carter, whose strong suit on the golf course is smashing the ball off the tee. “I can definitely make a push for it.”

Carter averaged 38 strokes per nine holes this season and 79 for 18-hole tournaments, a level she said she’s reached in the last year.

Carter is a scholar too. She has a 4.1 grade point average, takes International Baccalaureate classes, and is a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club. She’ll major in something healthcare-related, and she’ll do it much closer to home than she ever imagined.

Clover foursome sign national letters of intent

Four Clover Blue Eagles signed papers to continue their athletic careers at the college level on Tuesday.

Breanna Clemmer will attend McKendree University in Illinois on a bowling scholarship. Clemmer is a top-ranked bowler nationally and has won gold medals with the United States under-15 and under-20 national teams.

Sarah Reid signed to play golf at Converse College. Reid has played for six years with coaches Lyn and Eric Harper.

Anna Pettus will join Reid at Converse. Pettus will swim at the school after six years of varsity swimming for the Blue Eagles. Pettus qualified for the state meet and was the captain of Clover’s team this year. She’ll swim breaststroke.

And Pettus’ swimming teammate, Seth Hurst, will also take his abilities to the college level. Hurst signed with Lenoir-Rhyne after twice qualifying for the state meet as a Blue Eagle.

This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 12:33 PM with the headline "South Pointe’s Carter signs to play golf at Winthrop."