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Memorial High senior Zoe Slaughter was named Golfer of the Year by the Texas Girls Coaches Association during a special ceremony held Sept. 11 at the school.

Sam Tifton, the association’s executive director, noted while issuing Slaughter’s award that Texas has about 10,000 golfers, both boys and girls. In 5A-6A district level competition, Slaughter really worked hard to win top recognition.

“Zoe has won this honor over 2,500 girls who play golf in the state of Texas,” he said. Her YouTube golf videos made him a believer. “Wow, she crushed it! She crushed it. I’ve never seen a high school girl explode off the tee box like you do.

“Zoe,” Tifton said. “It is with great privilege and with great honor that the Texas Coaches Association has selected you as a 2018-2019 Athlete of the Year in Golf for 5A-6A Golf.”

Slaughter began hitting golf balls as an 8-year-old, encouraged by her father and inspired by her grandfather, Jake Carter, who himself played golf for Prairie View A&M University. 

She began playing competitively at age 10. Her grandfather’s proud of her state coaches’ award. “He’s ecstatic,” Slaughter said.

Her recent golf accomplishments include 2019 17-6A district champion, a bronze medal in Region 3 play, and individual state runner-up honors in 2019 UIL 6A girls golf, a finish that helped lead Memorial High girls golf to a Top 5 finish.

The state tournament held at Legacy Hills in Georgetown, Texas, was designed for strategic course play. “You have to know exactly where you want to hit that ball,” Slaughter said. Her state medal was an “incredible, great emotion” moment.

She ranks No. 73 worldwide among teen girls, reports Junior Golf Scoreboard.  

Although her college options are many, Slaughter has committed to the University of Houston where, she said “the coaches are amazing and took an interest in me.” 

She hopes to play professionally in the LPGA, but is focused on medical studies as a way to help cure cancer through research.

“I’ve always loved science. It’s so interesting to use science to put things together or to figure out how to cure disease,” she said. 

Slaughter’s goals are on par for a high achiever – either on the golf course or in the science lab.