American Preparatory Academy-Draper freshman Natalie McLane, of Herriman, entered the 2A girls state golf championship at Lakeview Golf Course May 16 without a lot of expectations. She had played against reigning medalist Arden Louchheim, a Rowland Hall senior who will play for Nebraska in the fall, throughout the season as the Eagles and Winged Lions compete in the same region. At the state tournament, McLane finished her round—a couple of shots off the lead—and then began to watch some movement on the live scoring with Louchheim bogeying three of the final four holes which ended up giving McLane the individual title.

“I noticed I was one shot down and then we were tied and then I went out and watched her final hole which she bogeyed,” McLane said. “I didn’t feel that prepared going into state. I’m still really shocked that I won.”

McLane’s medalist finish, shooting a 2-over par 73, helped the Eagles to an eighth-place showing as a team at state. The squad also included Rosa Carreto, Emily Chavez, Xixi Dou, Yajaira Hernandez, Allie Sengpraseut and Juel Uribe. The daughter of Brandon and Boonhee McLane of Herriman said she began her round with a double bogey on her first hole—Hole 10— before bouncing back with a par on the next hole. “I aimed way left on the first couple of holes, but I chipped up and was able to save par and that really helped me settle in,” McLane said.

“I could just feel it that she could win it,” said APA-Draper coach Allison Gow. “It was amazing to watch and it’s a pretty big deal for our school, which is so academically focused, to have a talent like hers here.”

McLane said the keys to her win were “some solid putts and good iron play,” as she posted pars on each hole on the back nine. With the state title, she hasn’t just changed her outlook toward her high school golf experience, it has also helped her confidence in knowing that she belongs. “I’m now hoping to win three more,” she said, noting that she would like to equal Bingham’s Sirene Blair’s accomplishment of four straight individual state championships from 2010 to 2013.

McLane started playing golf when she was 10 years old when she was introduced to the sport by her babysitter’s grandpa, Terry Devine, who taught golf. “No one in my family plays so it was something new to try,” McLane said. “I love playing golf because I see my improvements in my game and I seem to pick it up faster. I certainly didn’t see that when I tried to learn the cello. That was really slow.”

Natalie’s mother Boonhee McLane credits Devine for “discovering Natalie’s athletic talents and future in golf.” “He is the best and he made golf fun for Natalie, and her love of golf is undeniable,” Boonhee McLane said. “Terry has always been there for her when she needs him.”

Initially, McLane played a couple of tournaments at Glenmoor and then began entering Utah Junior Golf Association events, earning Utah PGA Junior Player of the Year honors in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, she reached the Regional round of the Drive, Chip and Putt in Pebble Beach, California. 

During local tournaments in 2022, she won five events—with a 75 at Valley View March 26, a 78 at Soldier Hollow April 30, a 75 at Mountain Dell Sept. 10, a 73 at Bonneville Oct. 1 and a 77 in the Tour Championship Oct. 28. Last summer, she also won the Valley View Davis PGA Junior Major and then finished fourth at the Notah Begay III Regional Junior Golf National Championship Sept. 17-18 after leading the tournament following her first round of 73.

This year, playing in the UJGA 15-18 age division, she is “working her way up,” according to her mother, including a seventh-place showing at Soldier Hollow May 12-13 with rounds of 75, 76 and 78. Her personal-best round was a 68 at Meadow Brook Golf Course April 15 in a local tour spring tournament.

“We just wanted her to start this out as a hobby and into little tournaments, but each year she was able to achieve good results and by 2022 she was winning quite a few tournaments,” said her mom. “This year, she is doing a great job considering that she has not been able to play much due to the winter we had.”

McLane said that golf has had an impact on her off the course as well. “It has really helped me to calm down and have patience,” she said, noting that she has her sights set on collegiate and professional golf.

Gow said that McLane continues to work with Devine as her private coach and, although her family doesn’t golf, they are committed to her developing her talent. “Her parents are 100% supportive,” Gow said. “This is a young lady who has incredible talent, tremendous skill and is easy to teach. From the very first time I saw Natalie, I have noticed her concentration, patience and focus. This kid’s got it. We’ll be seeing her on the LPGA [Ladies Professional Golf Association] Tour in 10 years.” λ