Cassville senior Maci Barton has only played competitive golf for one year, but that was all she needed to be selected to play at the next level.

A softball player since the age of 5, Barton decided to switch to golf because it is one of her father’s favorite sports.

“Softball did not work out, and my dad plays golf,” she said. “I wanted to try something new, and it’s a lifetime skill so I can keep playing.”

Barton took to the sport easily, taking 12th place in districts to become only the 4th girls golfer from Cassville to qualify for state, finishing 78th.

Barton said being so young to the game of golf, part of her collegiate decision-making was based on where she could grow best.

“Last year was my first year playing golf, and I did well, but I need to build skills,” she said. “Crowder’s program just started, and it being a young program will be good for me.”

In her time with the Lady Wildcats, Barton said some of her best memories were away from the course.

“The overnight stays for districts was a lot of fun,” she said. “It was really fun to go eat with my teammates and just go have a good time. We also bonded together in practice, and going to the state tournament is a great memory.

“It was freezing with 30-degree weather and I was in a skirt — that was awful — but I got to play with some of the best golfers in the state.”

Barton said looking ahead, she’s excited for her independence outside of high school, and she hopes to use golf as a way to explore the region.

“In general, I’m excited to get to be on my own and live as an adult,” she said. “I’m also really excited to travel. We are a small school, but we will still get to see a lot of the country I have not seen.”

Achieving such heights in her only year of play, Barton said her success is a testament to her team and her taking a chance.

“Everyone was wonderful to me, even though I didn’t know anything,” she said. “Even if you’ve been doing the same thing your whole life, try something new. You never know — you might be really good at it.”