TUCSON – Alex Black first met Lorel Hayward as a 12-year-old aspiring golfer.

“At 12 and 13 years old she was doing things that I’ve never seen a 13-year-old do,” said Black, Hayward's swing coach the last five years. “I was like man, this girl is 13-14 years old. Imagine what she will be like in high-school.”

No more imaging is necessary. On a warm breezy morning at Omni Tucson National Golf Course, the senior capped her career at Highland with a top 10 finish in the girls D-1 state championship.

Hayward, who shot 6-over for the first day, saved her best round for Tuesday as she finished at 3-over par, 9-over for the tournament.

“I felt more solid today. My swing felt better,” said Hayward. “I made some putts I needed to. I just played better golf overall today.”

Had it not been for a one-stroke penalty on the 12th hole for her ball hitting her bag, she would have finished tied for ninth place.

Lorel Hayward (Travis Whittaker/AZPreps365)

 

Over the course of her career, Hayward has come a long way.

When Black first met Hayward, he said she was shy and timid but has learned to grow into a woman and a golfer by taking ownership of her life and her game.

Hayward looks back at her career aas all positive memories.

“It means a lot I have made it through these four years,” said Hayward. “I’ve had a solid four years. I have had a good career and I’m excited for my next chapter in golf.”

That next chapter for Hayward is playing at Northern Arizona University. She intends on signing her letter of intent in the coming weeks.

“She exemplifies being a leader, being a team player and showing other girls how it’s supposed to be done,'' said first-year coach Matt Jones. "I would hope I could have more seniors like her moving forward.”Lorel Hayward (Travis Whittaker/AZPreps365)

 

Highland loses Hayward but returns the majority of this year’s team. 

“You are going to lose your stability as a program as it’s been for the last four years,'' said Jones. "She’s been the rock. Coming up behind her she’s set a good example for the ones coming up underneath her to fall in her footsteps.”