Four-year starter Schier aims for No. 1 spot in lineup

Shelby Schier has been a fixture in Center Grove High School’s girls golf lineup since the start of the 2013 season.

To some, it probably seems longer.

The No. 3 player for the Trojans as a freshman, Schier slowly worked toward later tee times as older teammates graduated and her game continued to improve.

Now, for the first time, she’s poised to be the Trojans’ top player after playing second behind Sydney Abbott her sophomore and junior seasons.

Abbott, a 2016 Center Grove graduate, currently plays for Grace College, an NAIA program near Warsaw, Indiana.

“As a freshman I was just happy to play in the top five,” Schier said. “I’m excited to take the leadership role. The No. 1 player is expected to have the best score every time, but I like that pressure. It makes you work harder.”

Schier, who promises to receive plenty of competition for the No. 1 label in coach Jim Williams’ lineup from senior Hannah Wilson, has worked hard on her game during summer break.

Earlier this week she was part of a six-way tie for 15th-place (of 37 golfers) at the Masters Tour Championship at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.

Schier shot 82-80—162, or 8-over par.

Prior to that event, she tied for 16th at the Age Group Championship at French Lick Resort and the Northern Junior Masters at White Hawk Country Club near Crown Point.

Schier’s best 18-hole tournament round this summer is a 77 at Winding River Golf Course in Indianapolis.

Overall, she’s made the cut in all five of her summer events. Schier’s average 18-hole score over nine rounds of golf is 83.6.

“My putting has definitely gotten a lot better,” Schier said. “Just going to practice greens and I’ve been playing a lot. Mentally, I wasn’t comfortable with that part of my game, but am now more than I’ve ever been.”

Schier, who holds a 3.5 grade-point average at Center Grove, made a verbal commitment last month to play women’s golf at Valparaiso University beginning the 2017-18 school year.

She plans to major in actuary science.

Williams knows there is a direct correlation between Schier finishing her prep golfing career strong and the kind of season Center Grove will have.

“Shelby is pretty strong off the tee, and if she gets in trouble is able to get out of it in most cases,” Williams said.

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THE SCHIER FILE

Name: Shelby Schier

Age: 17

Born: Indianapolis

Family: Parents, Kurt and Jennifer; sister, Katie, 15; brother, Brady, 11

Favorite TV show: “Friends”

Favorite food: Pizza

Favorite movie: “The Parent Trap”

Favorite athlete: Jordan Spieth

Favorite team: Indianapolis Colts

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