Four years ago Lindsay Lee set a simple goal: to play golf at the collegiate level.

On Wednesday, she took a step toward that opportunity by signing a scholarship to play next year at the University of Mobile.

“I knew that I didn’t want it to end after high school,” the Charles Henderson High School senior said after the signing ceremony. “So I set a goal and have been working on it. I struggled a bit, but I’m still working on it.”

Her coaches see only her success and her determination.

“I can remember four years ago when I started coaching Lindsay and her telling me about wanting to become a college golfer,” said CHHS golf coach Shelby Tuck. “She’s worked hard …

“The Lord has blessed you, Lindsay, and we’re proud of you.”

Lee began playing golf as youngster, often with her father, Danny Lee. She and her brothers, Eric and Max, all learned under his tutelage and Max plays on the golf team with her.

“There’s just something about golf,” she said. “It’s different every day, no matter how many times you play, and it’s something you have to work at every day. I like that.”

Soon, she found an inspiration and a mentor in Alyson Mitchell Stewart, the first female golfer from Charles Henderson High School to sign a scholarship to play collegiate golf.

“I’m so proud of her,” Stewart said Wednesday. “I knew she could do it. She told me three or four years ago she wanted to play college golf and she’s been working it ever since then.”

Stewart, who also has helped coach Lee, said her determination and resolve have been impressive. “She’s usually the only girl out there competing with all the boys, and holding her own,” Stewart said. “Earlier this week she competed with 140 other golfers, and she was the only girl.”

In her junior year, Lee qualified for both sections and sub-state play.

“She only missed going to state by four strokes,” said Tuck.

And both are looking for Lee to be successful for the University of Mobile.

“I’m excited about the program,” Lee said. “I’ll be playing on a women’s golf team, so I think it’s going to be really fun to actually bond with my teammates. I mean, I like all the guys I play with, but it will be fun to be on a team with girls.”

And, she said, the growing program at Mobile offers plenty of opportunities for her to develop. “Coach Jackson has said the program is building, and I’m very excited to see what the next four years will bring.”

Lee plans to major in athletic training with a minor in Spanish.

She is the daughter of Danny and Dianna Lee and sister to Eric and Max, all three seniors at CHHS this year.