What a phenomenal season it was for Samantha Dewendt, who shined on the biggest stage at Area and State to secure Golfer of the Year honors!

*Feature Photo by Dawson County Golf*

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 3A State 3rd Place (70,79)
• Area Champion

Junior Samantha Dewendt has been consistent all season, and showed in the biggest moments what she is capable of. She was in the hunt for the GHSA Class 3A State Championship, finishing 3rd after an outstanding first round of 70 that had her in the lead. She also took the Area Championship individually to represent Dawson County at state.

VOTING RESULTS

1. Samantha Dewendt – 78 pts (15 1st-place votes)
2. Addie Maney (1) & AK Patton – 29 pts
3. Cameron Kimsey & Hannah Lundy – 22.5 pts

Voting included our 16-person panel made up of sports reporters, writers, video producers, former coaches, players, GHSA officials, and sports experts. The voting is Heisman-style, with the following points system:
1st place votes: 5 pts; 2nd: 3 pts; 3rd: 2 pts; 4th: 1 pts; 5th-6th: 0.5 pts; 7th-8th 0.25 pts

Samantha Dewendt overwhelmingly was the favorite for voters, taking 15 of 16 1st-place votes. Addie Maney (Habersham) took the other, and tied with AK Patton in total voting points. Cameron Kimsey (White) and Hannah Lundy (Tallulah) tied for 3rd.

HISTORY OF GOLFER OF THE YEAR

• 2023 – Samantha Dewendt – Dawson County JR
• 2022 – Katie Grace Randall – Stephens County SR
• 2021 – Catie Craig – White County SR & Maggie Jackson – Tallulah Falls SR
• 2020 – Catie Craig – White County JR
• 2019 – Catie Craig – White County SO
• 2018 – Caroline Craig – White County JR & Catie Craig – White County FR
• 2017 – Caroline Craig – White County SO
• 2016 – Maddie Horinek – Union County JR & Ally Horinek – Union County SO
• 2015 – Madison Caldwell – Dawson County SR
• 2014 – Madison Caldwell – Dawson County JR
• 2013 – Madison Caldwell – Dawson County SO
• 2012 – Cara Gowder – Banks County JR
• 2011 – Morgan Wood – Lumpkin County JR
• 2010 – Morgan Wood – Lumpkin County SO

Dewendt becomes the first Dawson County golfer to win the award since 2015 when Madison Caldwell finished off her 3-peat. Dewendt is the first non-senior since 2020 to win it, meaning she will have a shot to be the fourth golfer to win it multiple times.

WHO WILL WIN IT NEXT YEAR?