When Kinsley Hutcheson joined the Montgomery County golf team in her freshman year, she was thrilled to not only play at the high school level, but join her older brother Logan on the team.

Now, she plans to continue her golf career to the next level.

Hutcheson recently accepted a full-ride scholarship to play golf at Crowder College, a National Junior College Athletic Association school in Neosho. She will be the first person in her family to play golf in college.

“I’m really excited to go play and continue my golf career,” Hutcheson said. “I’m hoping it works out.”

Hutcheson will join a Crowder golf program that wrapped up its third season of play last fall. The Roughriders are coached by Sam Major.

Hutcheson said she first became interested in Crowder last summer, when she sent Major a letter that included her accomplishments during her golf career.

“I was looking at a few colleges throughout the summer,” said Hutcheson, who will major in social work. “I thought Crowder College was the best fit for me. I went up there and he gave me a good opportunity on what I was going to be doing up there. I decided to go there.”

MCHS coach Cody Hasekamp was thrilled that Hutcheson will continue her golf career in college.

“It will not surprise me if she walks into Crowder this fall and shoots incredibly well for their team,” Hasekamp said. “She’s used to playing in the longer courses. She’s used to playing in the tougher conditions. With girls golf being in the fall, typically you have pretty good weather for all of that. In the spring, you never know what you’re going to get. So she’s used to dealing with that adversity and I think that will serve her well.”

Hutcheson joined the Wildcats in the 2022 season as the only freshman on the team. She was also one of three girls on the squad. Also that year, her older brother Logan earned all-state honors with a 15th-place finish at the state tournament.

This year, Hutcheson is the only girl on the team. During her high school golf career, she had a total of four girl teammates.

“It’s exciting being the only girl,” Hutcheson said. “It’s a little different, but it’s been pretty good.”

Hutcheson hopes to leave the MCHS golf program on a high note. She’s playing in her fourth and final season with the Wildcats.

“I would like to be shooting in the 40s by the end of the season,” Hutcheson said.

Hutcheson shot a 55 in the Wildcats’ season opener against Winfield, North Callaway, Van-Far, Mexico and Clopton on March 24 at Wildcat Golf Course. Three days later, she fired a 60 against Wright City. In a four-team match against MMA, South Callaway, Wright City and Silex on April 1 at Wildcat Golf Course, she finished with a 56.

Hutcheson, who swings left-handed, prepared for this season by playing plenty of golf during the summer.

“I played golf almost every day all day all summer,” the senior said. “I did a few tournaments. Otherwise, I just played around.”

Hutcheson is part of a large senior class that includes Clayton Parker, Jay Rodgers, Tatum Wessel, Isaiah Thomas and Burke King. She’s the only senior in that group who played all four years at MCHS.

“I call it the Clayton Parker effect,” Hasekamp said. “Where Clayton goes, a lot of others want to come. But when you have good kids, they attract other good kids who want to be part of your program. I taught all of these kids in school. They want to be around. They want to spend time together. I’m more happy to facilitate getting to spend some time with a good group of kids.”

Hutcheson said she has high hopes for her team, which lost two state qualifiers to graduation, but returns juniors Karter Reagan and Wyatt March in the varsity lineup. The Wildcats are 9-1 in dual matches.

“I think they’ll do well,” Hutcheson said. “There’s a few of them I’m expecting to do well this season and move farther than conference and maybe districts.”

When Hutcheson goes to Crowder next year, she will continue a golf career that started in sixth grade.

“It’s a one-on-one sport,” she said. “It’s between you and yourself. That’s the good part about it.”