Without question, Bethany Wurster started cementing her legacy at Douglas High School the moment she first stepped on a golf course as a high school student-athlete in the fall of 2007.
Wurster won her first tournament, which was the first step of a tremendous high school career that included four individual league titles, three individual regional championships and fourth state berths.
There's little argument to be offered in calling her the most accomplished golfer in school history.
"I was just that red-headed golfer that showed up one day and started winning," Wurster said. "I had no idea how far it would go. I had played two years of junior golf leading up to my freshman year, but I don't think anyone really thought it would go like this."
She put one final touch on her stellar career Wednesday morning as she signed a national letter of intent to play for Oregon State University next fall.
"If you would've told me five years ago that I'd be playing golf at the Division I level, I would've laughed at you," Wurster said. "I never really thought I could do it, but it is what I've been working for through the last six years. It feels really good."
Oregon State contacted Wurster early in her junior year. She fielded some e-mail interest from a few other schools - most notably Nebraska and New Mexico State - but her interest remained primarily in Oregon State.
"They kept the closest connection to me," she said. "I went on a visit up there and loved it."
She was offered a roster spot, but no financial aid last April. She took a number of days to think about it.
"I was sitting in a restaurant with my family and it just hit me that this school is the perfect place for me and I wanted to commit to them," Wurster said. "I called them right there and told them. I started crying, my mom was crying. It was a pretty momentous day."
In June, Oregon State came across with a scholarship offer for Wurster.
"It all worked out," Wurster said. "I'm just so thankful to God, my family and my coaches - everyone who has been there along the way to support me."
Wurster said she's planning to major in chemistry. With winter setting in, her golf season is shutting down. She said she plans to ramp up her practice routine in the spring and has a number of qualifier tournaments during the summer that will represent her first experience above the junior level.
"I'm going to practice as much as I can during the winter, but then I have to get serious heading into the spring," she said. "It takes a lot of pressure off knowing that I have a place to play next year, but it also really lights a fire under me to not just only to be there, but to participate and contribute to a Division I team."
Along with her individual titles, Wurster broke the state record for low-score in relation to par (6-under-66 at Genoa Lakes in 2008 - it was broken at the state championships this year) and helped lead Douglas to back-to-back regional team and league titles in 2007 and 2008.
