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Sonora High School's John Duke Hudson, San Saba's Shelby Hardy and Wall's Kendra Whittley all arrived on the high school golf scene three years ago as superstar freshmen, all medaling at the state tournament.

This week the three, who are now seniors, all signed their way to college golf scholarships.

Hudson's headed to the College of Charleston (S.C.), Hardy inked with Sam Houston State in Huntsville, and Whittley is going to be on the inaugural golf team at Midwestern State in Wichita Falls.

"It's such a relief," Whittley said. "I don't have to worry about anything. It's all on paper."

"The recruiting process is almost like a job," Hudson said. "Now I can just enjoy my senior year."

Whittley is the most decorated of all three golfers, winning the 2A state individual title her freshman year and being a key part of Wall's state title teams the past two years.

"We're ready for a three-peat this year," Whittley said, and she'll probably be proved right as all of the members of last year's championship team return.

Whittley said she chose Midwestern not just for golf but because she could study dental hygiene there, a field of study that isn't available most places.

Midwestern wasn't even on her radar until August, when the coach started calling. Whittley picked Midwestern despite getting interest from the University of Kansas, Angelo State, Tarleton State, Dallas Baptist and Houston Baptist.

"At first I wasn't interested at all, but I went on a visit there and fell in love with the place," Whittley said.

That was the case for Hudson when he went to visit the College of Charleston, a D-I school that competes in the Southern Conference and is situated near some of the best golf courses in the country.

"It's a golfing part of the world," Hudson said. "The school was really nice."

Hudson has been to the state tournament every year he has been in high school and has four bronze medals to show for it (two team and two individual).

"Last year we were hoping the third time would be the charm (to win team gold), but maybe the fourth time will be," said Hudson, who is one of four returning lettermen for the Broncos.

Hudson chose Charleston over offers from Rice (a close second choice, he said) and Southern Methodist University.

Hardy's choice may have been the toughest of all.

The defending 2A individual champ is also a star basketball player and had an offer to play hoops at Abilene Christian.

"I love both sports equally, but I knew I'd go further with golf," said Hardy, who was part of the San Saba team that took second last year at state behind Wall. She also won team bronze as a freshman and individual silver as a sophomore.

Once she decided on golf, she had to choose between offers from Angelo State, Texas State, Arkansas State and Tarleton State. She even talked briefly with Texas Tech.

But Sam Houston won out.

"It just really had a positive feel," said Hardy, who as the No. 2-ranked student in her class could have cashed in on academic scholarships at several places, too. "I really felt wanted, and it felt like home."