Blythewood state champ Caroline Hawkins has big goals for Clemson golf career
Caroline Hawkins entered high school with lofty goals. She’ll begin her college career the same way.
Earlier this month, the Blythewood High senior accomplished her top goal when she became the first girls or boys golfer in South Carolina history to win four straight individual state championships.
So what’s on the horizon as she signs with Clemson University?
“My goal is to become an NCAA champion and become an All-American at Clemson,” Hawkins said Wednesday. “I am going to make other goals, little goals and big goals, but those are the two goals I have had on my mind for a long time. It is just a matter of how much work I put in.”
Blythewood coach Jason Minkel wouldn’t put it past Hawkins to accomplish her college goals. Minkel remembers meeting her as a seventh-grader entering the program and watching her development. She was part of the Bengals’ team state championship in 2021 as an eighth-grader.
The memory that stood out the most to Minkel was her first state championship victory in 2022 in which she battled sickness and trailed by one shot going into the final nine holes. But Hawkins birdied three of her final six holes to win by one shot.
“That was a pretty awesome couple of days for her,” Minkel said of the 2022 victory. “I think she is going to do great at Clemson and won’t have any issues at all. She has put in the time and knows how to practice. It is only going to make her better being up there with people that know how to develop her further.”
In addition to the four championships, Hawkins also is co-holder for most under par in an individual S.C. girls golf state tournament after shooting 11-under to win the 2023 championship by 14 shots.
Hawkins holds that record with former Oceanside Collegiate golfer Smith Knaffle.
This year, Hawkins overcame cold and windy weather to win by one shot in the event, which was shortened to 18 holes because of rain.
Hawkins was one of four Blythewood athletes to sign letters of intent on Wednesday, the first day of the fall signing period that runs until Nov. 19. Other signees were baseball players Johnny Collins (College of Charleston) and Amare Counts (Florence-Darlington Tech), and softball player Lily Zell (Converse).
Hawkins committed to the Tigers’ program last November. The Tigers were on the top of the list from the beginning. Clemson missed the NCAA Tournament last season but is off to a strong start this fall with a pair of victories in its events.
“It is a flood of emotions, and I am so excited to grow as a student and as an athlete,” Hawkins said. “I fell in love with Clemson even before I wanted to play college golf. I loved the academics and atmosphere. Then, when I got to meet the team and the coaches, they are the most genuine and sweet people I have ever met. They made it feel like a home and not just a school. And that was the best place for me.”
This story was originally published November 12, 2025 at 11:34 AM.
