Vindicator Fall Athletes: Melinda Hannon

What began as something fun for her and her father, Bob, to do together turned into so much more for Melinda Hannon.

The first time she picked up a golf club was at the age of 9. The first lesson she ever took was at the age of 13. Now a senior at Poland, Hannon wrapped up her high school golf career as a four-year varsity player, a three-time state tournament qualifier, and a member of the All-Ohio second team.

“It just means everything,” Hannon said of the honor. “All the hard work and all the preparation I put in before the season really paid off.”

Hannon’s family moved into the Poland school district when she was in eighth grade. She was aware of the success its golf program had and decided if she was going to go out for the team she had to fully commit.

“It was honestly the best experience I’ve ever had,” Hannon said. “I made so many friends and I’m so happy I did it.”

Hannon earned a spot on the varsity team her freshman year and recalled how much she looked up to the upperclassmen then.

“I was so scared my first match,” she said. “I remember everything they did for me and I knew that when I was a junior or senior I wanted to be like that.”

As the lone senior on this year’s Bulldogs team, Hannon thought back to those experiences and everything they taught her.

She hasn’t decided where she’ll attend college next year, or if competitive golf will be a part of it. What Hannon does know is that academics will be priority number one as they have been all along.