By Meg Hibbert
Contributing Writer
Salem High School golfer Kathryn Ha was celebrated by members of Salem City Council Monday night as one of the best golfers in the state
Vice Mayor Anne Marie Green presented Ha with a copy of Council’s resolution and a pin to recognize Ha’s being the first person in Virginia High School League history to capture both the Class 4 Coed State Title and the Girls Open State Championship during the same season.
She is coached by Blaine Hancock who was with her at the presentation, along with her parents.
After graduating from SHS in May, the Governor’s School senior will attend Vanderbilt University where she will play golf. She won the Individual State Title in October at Heritage Oaks Golf Course in Harrisonburg where she defeated the top 60 male and female golfers in the state with a 3-under par round of 68.
Two weeks later she had a 3-under par of 67 to become a three-time Girls State Open Championship. Kathryn was crowned Virginia State Golf Association’s Junior Golfer of the Year for the second straight year. She has also been featured in “Virginia Golf Magazine”.
In 2023 Kathryn competed in southern Spain as part of the prestigious United States PING Junior Solheim Cup team.
Also at the Feb. 24 meeting, Salem City Council:
- Passed, on second reading, a request by Patrick and Jamie Snead to amend a section of the zoning ordinance pertaining to setbacks for townhouses. The vote was unanimous;
- Passed, on second reading, a section of the code pertaining to wall signs for businesses. The vote was 3-2, with Vice Mayor Green and Councilman Randy Foley dissenting, and Councilmembers Hunter Holliday, John Saunders and Mayor Renee Turk voting for the change. Turk attended remotely because she was out of town;
- Heard Citizen Comments by John Breen who asked Council , and to reduce the tax millage, and Stella Reinhard who suggested Salem consider promoting music and getting listed on the “Guide to the Crooked Road.”
In the work session preceding the regular meeting, Councilmembers heard an update on the Alleghany Regional Commission from Executive Director Jeremy Holmes, and a summary of the Civic Center study by City Manager Chris Dorsey and Assistant City Manager Rob Light.
The Council meeting adjourned at 6:57.
