Practice makes perfect is a saying often used in sports. Parkland graduate and current Penn State senior Kate Granahan has done plenty of practicing on the golf course.

Outside of competing in tournaments and matches for the Nitany Lions, Granahan competed in amateur tournaments while working on internships on the east coast (New Jersey and Delaware), and out west (Colorado).

“I believe that even when we are out of season here at school, it is about taking it upon yourself to do what it takes to get better,” said Granahan. “Golf is an individual sport so there is a lot of work you have to put in yourself. I was able to play in some amateur tournaments with some great competition. I learned a lot from other players.

“It’s about your mechanics and how can you become the best that you can be. You get that through consistently playing and being around the game.”

It wasn’t always about golf for Granahan. While at Parkland, played varsity soccer, which was played in spring.

“Playing soccer helped me with communication and the team-based things you need to be successful,” said Granahan. “Because you are also a part of a team in golf, you want to work as hard as you can to help your team win. I learned that at Parkland, and it pushed me to be the best that I can be.”

Heading into Penn State her freshman year, Granahan wasn’t sure of what path to take athletically or academically. Before her sophomore year, she declared as a professional golf management major and decided to walk on to the golf team.

“The transition was tough,” Granahan said. “I walked on as a sophomore, so the coaches and players didn’t really know much about me and vice versa. I was playing with teammates that were better than me. Once I began competing in some tournaments, it all comes back to you. I just had to stay confident and keep getting better.”

Her first low score came at the Nittany Lion Invitational, where she shot an 81. Granahan bested that with a career-low 74 the following year in the same tournament. Her third year in the program she averaged 78.17 for the season.

This past fall was been her best season yet. Granahan competed in all four tournaments during the season. She is fifth on the team with an average score of 76.

She has shot two rounds under par with her lowest being a 71 in the final round of the Nittany Lion Invitational. Granahan had one top 10 finish in the Nittany Lion Invitational where she finished tied for 8th with a score of 224 (+8) for three rounds.

“I knew this was my last full year competing, and I wanted to go out playing my best,” said Granahan. “I’ve been working hard to shoot the best scores that I could, and want to continue to have a strong year individually and as a team.”