She was supposed to be this good. When you golf and your last name is Woods, winning is an expectation. Cheyenne Woods didn’t disappoint. She won as an individual and helped Phoenix Xavier win as a team.

It’s why Woods is the Tribune’s girls golfer of the year for 2007.

Woods became a state champion for the second time late in the fall by winning the 5A-I title at Tucson’s Randolph Golf Course.

As a senior, she earned a five-stroke victory. As a junior, she became a champion with a one-shot victory.

Her success led to a scholarship at Wake Forest where she will enroll next fall. The Demon Deacons have a team ranked in the top 20 nationally.

In addition to winning the individual title, Woods also helped the Gators to their 10th straight team championship.

During this run, Xavier has seldom been challenged by other high school teams in Arizona.

“I really wanted to win back-to-back championships, and my team was awesome all four years,” Woods said. “I had a great time playing high school golf. I really can’t believe it’s over. It went by so fast.”

Woods understands high expectation. As the niece of the best player in the world, Tiger Woods, she is constantly asked about their relationship.

“I’ve had to deal with it pretty much for my whole career,” she said.

But it doesn’t come into play on the golf course where Cheyenne Woods said she can “zone” out any of the extra attention.

Like most of the Xavier players, Woods had to wait her turn to be on top. As an underclassman, she played on teams led by Amanda Blumenherst, now the No. 1-ranked collegiate player in America as she plays her junior season at Duke.

Once Woods became one of the team’s top players she embraced it and helped keep Xavier the top program in Arizona.

“That’s the end of an era right there,” Xavier girls golf coach Lynn Winsor said.

Like her uncle, Woods has significant goals ahead of her.

She’d like to establish herself as a top collegiate player.

Eventually, she wants to be the top-ranked female player on the LPGA Tour.

Does anyone want to bet against her?

Looking Back: Memorable moments from the 2007 season

Rally Gators: Phoenix Xavier’s winning streaks continued. The Gators won their 10th 5A state title and 26th state championship in the last 28 years. Xavier will lose key players to graduation in Cheyenne Woods and Margarita Ramos, but the Gators always seem to have plenty in reserve.

Trio grande: A trio of juniors led Cave Creek Cactus Shadows to its third state title by a whopping 24 strokes over Tucson Catalina Foothills. Lauren Weaver, Rebecca Schneider and Beau Bremer all helped the Falcons win as freshmen. Now they’ve done it as juniors. They can make it three out of four next fall.

Pima power: Pima Region foes Mesa Desert Ridge, Tempe Marcos de Niza and Scottsdale Horizon finished 1-2-3 at the 5A-II state tournament.

Sensible solution: After forcing mostly local teams to make the trek down to Tucson for the 5A-I and 5A-II state tournaments, the AIA is likely to bring both tourneys back to the Valley next fall. The AIA is currently looking into hosting both events at one of Phoenix’s municipal courses, a source familiar with the situation said.

Class 5A All-Tribune first team Golfer School Yr. Comment

Cheyenne Woods Xavier Sr. Won back-to-back 5A-I state titles

Kaira Martin Xavier Fr.. Finished third at state championships

Ashley McKenney Desert Mtn. Sr. Back-to-back years on first team

Shelby Martinek Marcos de Niza So. Runner-up at 5A-II state championships

Brianna Espinoza Desert Vista Sr. Was second at state championships

Golfer of the Year: Cheyenne Woods, Xavier

Coach of the Year: Pierson Hamilton, Desert Vista (Thunder have finished third and now second at state championships in the last two seasons)

Class 5A All-Tribune second team Golfer School Yr. Comment

Kristen Schelling Red Mountain Sr. On All-Tribune team for three seasons

Stephanie Kim Desert Vista Jr. Helped Thunder finish second at state

Shelby Phillips Highland Fr. Was sixth at 5A-I state championships

Margarita Ramos Xavier Sr. Helped Gators to 10th straight state title

Cheyenne Hickle Gilbert Jr. Top 10 at state in each of last two years

Class 4A All-Tribune first team Golfer School Yr. Comment

Lauren Weaver Cactus ShadowsJr. State champion after finishing 3rd last year

Beau Bremer Cactus Shadows Fr. Was second at state championships

Jackie Chang Notre Dame Sr. Moves up to first team after being 2nd in ‘06

Lauren Nehf Chaparral So. Was fourth at state championships

Dana Stapleton Chaparral Jr. On first team for second straight year

Golfer of the Year: Lauren Weaver, Cactus Shadows

Coach of the Year: Mike Sarraino, Cactus Shadows (Has directed a Falcons’ team to three state titles in the last five years)

Class 4A All-Tribune second team Golfer School Yr. Comment

Amanda Gregg Arcadia Sr. A top-10 finish at 4A championships

Rebecca Schneider Cactus ShadowsJr. Earned all-state honors with 9th at state

Jordan Magruder Sco. Christian Sr. Finished in the top 20 last two seasons

Emily Kaye Chaparral Fr. Helped Firebirds to 3rd-place finish at state

Kelli Nakano Cactus Shadows Jr. Helped earn team another state title

Contact writer: (480) 898-5904 (Ext. 2) or tribgolf@yahoo.com