Kasay Holbrook made an impact on everyone she came into contact with during the past four years at Dawson County High, but Class AA’s two-time state runner-up probably made the biggest mark on her golf coach, Shari Chastain.

The Lady Tigers coach, without hesitation, can assess Holbrook’s strength on the golf course, which resulted in three consecutive Region 8-AA individual titles. But the tone of Chastain’s analysis quickly becomes a ringing personal endorsement of the future Division I golfer for Presbyterian College.

Dawson County’s coach would count her blessings to be able to coach another golfer as well-rounded as Holbrook in the future.

“Kasay’s a great kid,” Chastain said. “She’s smart, funny, has a great work ethic, a tremendous team leader and I have no doubt she’ll be successful in the future, no matter what she does.”

Holbrook’s instinct as a leader had a big impact on the Lady Tigers, who finished in second place team at the state tournament this year, matching the highest finish in state of any Dawson County girls team in school history.

For her efforts, Holbrook is The Times 2008 Girls Golfer of the Year.

Despite all of her individual accomplishments, Holbrook is most pleased with the fact that the Lady Tigers improved on their finish at state each of her four seasons. The Lady Tigers placed ninth in 2006 and third in 2007.

“I was really happy that we finished as state runner-up this season,” Holbrook said. “My sophomore year I decided I wanted to make it to state every year.”

Chastain said Holbrook’s lasting impact on the Lady Tigers golf program is helping to build a strong team that carried nine players this season and knows how to succeed at the highest level.

“In the past we struggled to carry three girls on the team, and now they know what it takes to compete at that level,” Chastain said. “We’ll feel her impact on the program here at Dawson County for years to come.”

Another sign of Holbrook’s impact on the golf course is the fact that other area coaches are just as free flowing with their compliments. White County coach Trecy Kent came away very impressed with Holbrook’s combination of golfing aptitude and personal character after a pair of matches played against Dawson County this season.

“I remember Kasay put on a show when we played Dawson County at Gold Creek,” Kent said. “She’s really fun to watch because she’s ultra-focused and fun to be around.

“Both matches we played against (Dawson County) she was nothing but a joy to compete against.”

Holbrook had a reputation during her career at Dawson County for battling back in tough situations. This season, she trailed a competitor from Greater Atlanta Christian by a stroke with only three holes left to play in the region championship. As a junior, she pulled out the region’s top spot after entering the final hole tied for the lead.

“Kasay has the mental strength to attack challenges and recovers nicely,” Chastain said. “She’s always composed on the course.”

No time was Holbrook more challenged than the state meet during her junior season, when she was totally zapped of any strength due to having mononucleosis. She missed both practice rounds, and was only familiar with the course at Hard Labor Creek because she played the Georgia Peach Invitational there earlier in the season, and rode around the course with Chastain the day before the meet. She went on to play the back nine at even par and finished only one stroke behind the eventual state champion.

The recent Dawson County grad will play the final tournament in conjunction with her prolific high school career at the North/South Georgia All-Star event in Moultrie. Chastain will be on hand for the event to signal the end of a great high school career and usher in the start of her college career at Presbyterian College.

“Kasay is a winner in all aspects,” Chastain said. “She’s totally committed to golf.”