Brinkley Beever helped Siloam Springs' girls golf team reach a new level in 2017, and now she'll get the opportunity to do the same at the next level.
Beever, a senior for the Lady Panthers, signed a national letter of intent Wednesday to play golf at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo.
Beever is the fifth Siloam Springs golfer to sign to play in college in the last six seasons and one of the more decorated players in program history. She was the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Newcomer of the Year as a freshman in 2014 and went on to earn all-state honors in Class 6A three times in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Beever was the Class 6A individual runner-up in 2017 and helped Siloam Springs finish as the state runner-up as a team, something the Lady Panthers have never done before.
Beever finished her senior season with a nine-hole average of 40.7 strokes. She lowered in average more than 11 strokes from her freshman year.
"I was just trying to go out every time and do the best that I could do and push myself," Beever said. "It turned out pretty well I guess."
Beever played twice in the state overall tournament, another program first, and in September she was one of 33 junior girls golfers selected to play in the Pure Insurance Championship in Pebble Beach, Calif.
Siloam Springs golf coach Michael Robertson said Beever set the example for a student athlete in the golf program that will be referenced for many years to come.
"Since her freshman year, Brinkley has been there for many individual and team firsts in our program," Robertson said. "All while maintaining a 3.77 GPA and carrying a very tough course load, Brinkley has been a leader and a great example of how to work hard on and off the course and can always be found giving back to our younger players. As great as her career has been, I believe her best days are still ahead of her."
Beever is excited to play golf at Central Missouri. She said the Mules enjoy a heated indoor hitting facility along with a course that the university owns.
Also, Beever's older brothers Raiff and Ryke, both attend the university and play sports there. Raiff Beever plays baseball, while Ryke Beever is a hurdler for the track and field team.
"It's going to be really cool going to school with them," she said.
Brinkley Beever said the college golf setup is much like the high school setup in terms of earning a playing spot for matches.
"I know I won't be coming in on top, but that will be good because it means I'm having to develop and get better," she said. "Hopefully I'll be able to contribute."
Sports on 11/12/2017