Shannon Gets Late Start in Golf, Develops Into Champion

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(October 17, 2021 8:00 AM) Michigan Center High School golfer Kamryn Shannon went from a novice to a college golfer in just four years.

The MCHS senior said it is another example of hard work paying off. 

Shannon finished second in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 4 tournament on Saturday shooting an even-par 144 for two 18-hole rounds. 

She was edged by Mia Melendez of Ann Arbor Greenhills who finished the D-4 tournament at Forest Akers East at 1-under-par 143. 

The one-stroke loss prevented Shannon from becoming a two-time state champion in the sport she started as a freshman. 

“When people ask me how I did it I tell them it is just hard work,” Shannon said after her round on Saturday. “You can’t get better just practicing for the one or two hours during regular practice.

“It takes a lot of work in your own time.”

She was inspired by her grandfather, Bob Shannon a former girls’ golf coach at MCHS and her family. 

Shannon started whittling her scores for nine holes from the 60s, to the 50s, and finally into the 40s. She shot a 2-over-par at Forest Akers West last year to win the Division 4 individual title. The tournament was limited to 18 holes due to COVID-19 concerns.

Shannon spent the whole season at the top of the podium in the Cascades Conference and at most invitationals. She shot even par or better in her last three tournaments and was one of only six players who shot par or better at the state tournaments. 

Shannon led by two strokes at the MHSAA finals heading into the final round on Saturday. She shot a 70 on Friday but followed that up with a 74 on Saturday. Melendez shot 1-under-par to take the title.

“I think I only hit one fairway today,” Shannon said. “I wasn’t in bad positions where I had to chip out, but it wasn’t the nice pretty lies in the fairway.

“I also three-putted twice today. “

Shannon has verbally signed to play golf at Ferris State University and enter the professional golf management program. She has her sights set a little higher.

“I want to try to make it to the LPGA Tour,” Shannon said. 

Four years ago, she just wanted to get better at a sport she grew to love.

On Saturday she proved again that hard work pays off. 

“You don’t have to start a sport when you are 5 or 6 years old to be good,” Shannon said. “You can still achieve your goals with hard work.”