FHS senior imparts legacy on golf program
Andy Scheidler
sports@thefranklinpress.com
Competing at the state golf tournament for the third time, Alex Torres had her best showing yet.
The Franklin senior shot rounds of 95 and 93 at the 1-A/2-A NCHSAA Championship. She finished 39th out of 78 golfers.
“I wish I would have played better, but I’m still extremely happy with how I did,” Torres said. “I’m glad that I finished better than I have before. So I left on a good note.”
In 2016, Torres became the first freshman in FHS history to qualify for state; she finished 72nd.
She qualified again as a junior, shooting 120 and 108 to place 67th.
Torres is the first Franklin golfer to compete at state three times. Erin Campbell qualified three times, but withdrew the day before one of her appearances after a death in the family.
Because it was Torres’ third time at state, she wasn’t quite as nervous.
“Being there before helped me a lot,” she said.
The tournament was held Oct. 28-29 at Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines. It was Torres’ first time competing at the course, which played to 5,215 yards and a par 72. She said it was in good condition and featured cart paths primarily made out of sand.
Torres shot two strokes lower in the second round, but it could’ve been much better had she not three-putted so frequently. The greens were rolled after her first round and she had trouble adjusting to the added quickness.
“I could’ve shot way better,” she said, “but I’m still proud of myself.”
Katherine Schuster of First Flight shot rounds of 74 and 71 to win by eight shots. It was the third straight title for the junior.
Other players from WNC included Madison Logan of Hayesville (sixth place), Jala Stamey of Hayesville (tied for 11th), Anna Stiehler of Highlands (tied for 15th) and Hunter Hill of Hendersonville (tied for 25th), among others.
When asked about any highlights or what she’ll most remember, Torres said being her final high school
competition will likely stand out over previous state trips.
“The fact I scored pretty well was memorable,” she said.
Torres is the daughter of Angela Torres.
While golf is the only sport she plays at FHS, it’s far from her only extra curricular activity. She was in the Homecoming court, is a member of National Honor Society, is the editor-in-chief of the yearbook staff and is the senior class president for student council.
Unless a golf scholarship opportunity comes along, Torres plans on attending Western Carolina University to pursue a degree in physical therapy.
FHS coach Felicia Nidiffer said she’s so proud of Torres. She was a leader to the other team members, juniors Olivia Stahl and Shea Jones.
It was Jones’ first year playing golf and Torres helped mentor her, explaining why it’s important to have a pre-shot routine, how to read greens from different angles and why you shouldn’t hit driver off every tee.
“She gets golf definitions and the lingo,” Nidiffer said.
“She knows how to read pin sheet. Since her freshman year, she just got it. If she has a question, she’ll ask you.”
Torres embraced the role of being a team leader and enjoyed helping Jones with various aspects of the game.
“I enjoyed getting to know Shea and teaching her some of the things that have helped me through the past four years,” Torres said. “Getting to relay that onto someone else that hasn’t played before was good. Hopefully it helps her for next year if she decides to play golf again.”
Nidiffer’s husband Mitch is the assistant coach. Each has helped work with Torres on different aspects of her game the past four years.
That assistance hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“I’m really thankfully for my coaches and I couldn’t have done it without Mitch or Felicia,” Torres said. “They’re the reason I got there.”
Nidiffer called it a “great ride” coaching Torres the past four years. Their final trip together to state was a great way to close that chapter of the book.
“She made Franklin proud,” Nidiffer said.