Gipson shot a 3-under 68 at Pleasant Valley Country Club Thursday and then won a 3-man playoff, while Nichols’ 69 was good for a 3-shot victory.
By: Chris Werner
USGA Boatwright Intern
October 13, 2023
Max Gipson and Anna Kate Nichols took home the High School Overall Championships Thursday at Pleasant Valley Country Club.
Gipson, the Class 1A State Champ from Westside High School, shot a 3-under 68 and then won a three-man playoff against Adam Squires of Little Rock Catholic High School and Jackson McLaughlin from Episcopal Collegiate with a birdie on the second extra hole.
Nichols, a senior at Pulaski Academy, the Class 5A Champ, and a member at Pleasant Valley, carded a 69 to beat Yinyoe Yang from Conway by three strokes.
Gipson’s card consisted of five birdies and two bogeys on the Pleasant Valley par-71 layout of holes 1-9 and 19-27.
“[The feeling is] unmatched,” the Westside Junior said. “It’s all I’ve dreamed of. It’s been a battle and it’s an honor, it really is.”
Gipson attributed his win to his mental toughness as well as his hard work with ASGA Hall of Famer, former PGA Tour player, and current coach Stan Lee.
“Me and Stan started working together three years ago,” Gipson said. “It’s been sloppy, it’s been good, it’s been all over the board. The work we've put in, it’s really unbelievable how much he's changed my golf game, and got me to where I am today.
“Two weeks ago,” the winner continued. “I wasn't hitting the ball very well and I didn't have much confidence, and I got with him and we made a couple of swing changes and it just changed everything.”
With the positive swing changes, Gipson’s round came down to mindset.
“It’s all mental,” Gipson said. “Just allowing myself to play the game that I know I can play, just believing in myself.”
Nichols successfully defended last year’s title in her final high school event.
The future Razorback made the turn at 1-over-par, dropped to 3-over with bogeys on her 10th and 11th holes of the day, but then reeled off five straight birdies to post a 2-under 69.
“I played pretty well,” Nichols, who last week qualified for the 2024 U.S. Women’s 4-Ball Championship, said. “I had a little rough stretch in the middle and then I got it going on the back nine. I had five birdies in a row, just started hitting good shots and making putts so that was ultimately what turned me around.”
On her home course, Nichols said knowing the greens was a big plus.
“I know the course obviously pretty well and know the greens while which is definitely an advantage out here when they're rolling pretty fast,” Nichols said.
Thursday was a fitting end to Nichols’ storied high school career, including four appearances in the Overall Championships and two trophies.
“It's just so so special to get to even play high school golf and to get to end it out here at my home course, it can't be much better than that.”
