Go Tigers! Katherine Schuster signs with Clemson

Published 6:47 am Monday, November 16, 2020

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Rikki, Katherine and Dave Schuster were each excited with the commitment to play for Clemson. Daryl Law photo

Katherine Schuster looks up and smiles as a crowd of well-wishes applause when it was announced she will attend Clemson on a full ride for four years to play golf. Her parents Rikki, left and Dave look on. Daryl Law photo

Rikki and Dave Schuster are thrilled with Katherine’s accomplishments. Daryl Law photo

Katherine Schuster is all in. Daryl Law photo

Katherine Schuster bumps elbows with First Flight athletics director Chad Williams, who was on hand for the ceremony. Daryl Law photo

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When it comes to golf, Katherine Schuster is all in.

The senior student-athlete at First Flight High School signed her National Letter of Intent to attend Clemson on a full ride to play golf starting fall semester 2021.

A hard worker, she’s already executed a number of impressive accomplishments. In 2020, Schuster has played numerous American Junior Golf Association events as well as a pro event where she made the cut enabling her to stick around for two more days of play.

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This Thanksgiving, she plans to play the Rolex Tournament of Champions at Palm Beach, Fla. and then to finish the year, Schuster looks to defend her title at the Arizona Silver Belle in Phoenix in late December.

The blonde-haired, blue-eyed teenager also has her eyes on capturing a fourth consecutive state 2A title this spring when she represents the Nighthawks in the state championships played at Pinehurst.

Perhaps her most memorable win, however, came on one golf’s biggest stages several years ago when she seized a first place in her division of the Drive, Chip & Putt competition on a spring Sunday at Augusta National, the weekend before the 2018 Masters.

Schuster, who is no stranger to hard work, found a solid mentor in Cory Schneider over at The Pointe Golf Club in Currituck. He has taken pride in helping develop her the skills and mental toughness needed to play at the next level.

“She makes me look good ’cause she works so hard,” he said a signing ceremony Wednesday at The Pointe, where he’s the golf professional.

Schneider’s witnessed it all from her hitting balls before school to all of the travel to events and tournaments during the past several years.

“It’s a team effort,” Schneider said. “Here at The Point, we’re proud and it’s just the beginning.”

A loud round of applause erupted from the crowd assembled outside just off the practice green as Schuster signed the letter as it was revealed that she’s headed to Clemson in South Carolina on a full ride scholarship for four years.

“Thanks for supporting me, it means the world to me,” Schuster told the crowd of 20-some in attendance.

Her mom Rikki and dad Dave flanked her as she posed for photos and soaked it all in. Her mom said it’s all been “amazing” and a “little crazy” in 2020.

“We’re excited! Rikki said. “We talked to the coach last night.”

Clemson coach Kelley Hester first contacted Katherine by email four years ago or so when the young golfer was in eighth grade.

The relationship has grown and the plans to attend Clemson appear to fit this Dare County golf sensation.

“I love coach Kelley and her assistant Heather Young,” Katherine said. “We have a great rapport and I just knew . . . Clemson is definitely special.”

It’s no secret her dad Dave has been a driving force behind the dream and he even runs down her balls on 250 yard practice drives at times just to keep it all going.

“We’re all in!” he said.

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