POWELLS POINT – The time simply had come.

Virginia Lane’s years of practice paid off recently when she won an invitational tournament at Kilmarlic Golf Club. The tournament was available for prep golfers throughout the state of North Carolina.

“It felt really good,” Lane said. “I loved it.”

Lane won the Women’s Division of the Heritage Cup which was organized by Guy Thompson, the club pro at Kilmarlic. She was also the low scorer for the day, shooting a 74, the top score by three strokes.

Lane has been playing golf for most of her life and said it was her family’s love for the sport that led her to get involved.

“My family plays golf,” she said. “That’s how I started playing.”

The freshman at Ridgecroft School has been playing competitively in the Tarheel Independent Conference since she was in the seventh grade.

“It was her time,” said Ridgecroft Golf Coach Jason Miller. “She is one of the best ball-strikers I have seen for her age. It was just a matter of time.”

Miller said he expected Lane would play at a high level this season for the Rams and that he knew her tournament win came through her hard work.

“She earned it,” he said. “She works hard for it, nothing is handed to her.”

Ridgecroft School Athletic Director Doug Cobbs said the win was exceptional.

“She’s a dedicated golfer,” he said. “We’re very proud of what she accomplished and are looking forward to her continuing that excellent play this season.”