by Aaron Burns



LINCOLNTON – Miller Capps was already committed to play for Clemson and didn’t need to have a fantastic senior golf season for North Lincoln High.

Capps’ history with the Knights – two Class 2A state championships and a runner-up finish – could’ve been enough.

It wasn’t for Capps.

“I wanted to finish up strong,” Capps said.

Capps – who posted a 354-8 career match record with North Lincoln – did just that. He led the Knights to another second-place finish in the Class 2A state tournament at Long Leaf Country Club in Southern Pines on May 15.

His tie for fifth place in individual competition was the county’s best finish. It also earned Capps the title of Lake Norman Publications’ 2012 Boys Golf Player of the Year.

“He deserves all the credit he gets,” North Lincoln coach Mark Lackey said.

“We had one of our best seasons (in school history). At one point we were 81-0. A lot of that comes thanks to Miller,” Lackey added. “That winning streak was the longest we’ve ever gone without a loss in a season. Miller worked hard to keep that going for us.”

Capps led the Knights on the leaderboard. But Lackey said his contributions extended beyond a low handicap.

“A lot of people see what he does on the course and the hours he puts in. And it really gave our kids focus,” Lackey said. “I don’t know what I’ll do without him next year. His work ethic transferred to our whole team.”

Working hard is no big deal to Capps.

He’s long been regarded as one of the area’s most dedicated players. Capps’ competitive schedule never ended when North Lincoln’s season did. Summer tournaments from coast to coast took up his time a year ago.

The experience he got from playing against some of the nation’s best golfers came in handy when North Lincoln’s season began.

“I played better than in recent years,” Capps said of his senior year. “But you don’t always have the best round.”

Capps’ 67 at Woodbridge Golf Club in a regular season match marked his best effort of the season. But that’s easily forgotten when you consider he was the medalist (top finisher) in five of North Lincoln’s first seven matches in 2012.

“You can’t replace the leadership that’s brought by Miller Capps,” Lackey said. “Other kids (on opposing teams) try to do what he does. It’s not easy.”

Capps said he hopes he’ll be able to fit in with his new Clemson teammates from the onset. The work he’s put until to this point won’t be enough to make him the kind of star Capps wants to be.

“I’m excited about Clemson,” Capps said. “I’ll have to practice more than ever. This is more than a job to me. I’ve got to get geared up for it.”