MOULTRIE — Andrew Kistler got a late start at competitive golf, but his progress over the last three years has earned him a chance to play at the junior college level next season.

Kistler, a three-year member of the Colquitt County High golf team, has signed to play at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland.

The Bears play in the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association.

“This is just his third year of competitive golf,” Packers coach Donald Dale said. “If he had started earlier, his scores would be five or six or seven stroke better.

“He’ll get to play up there and he’ll continue to get better. He’s the kind of kid who, whatever they want him to do, he’ll do it.

“He’s a great kid, just a great kid.”

Kistler said he became interested in Truett-McConnell, a private Baptist college, when he stopped by the school’s booth at a college field day.

“It’s a Christian school and that caught my attention,” he said.

Kistler asked about the golf team and soon heard from the coach. He traveled to Cleveland and played a round with several members of the team and the coach.

“The coach said he liked my swing and said I was scholarship material,” Kistler said.

Since the day he played on the Bears hilly, North Georgia course, Truett-McConnell has changed coaches.

But new coach Jarret Holland contacted Kistler and told him the school was still interested and sent him the scholarship paper.

“It’s nice up there,” Kistler said.

Kistler said he plans to major in Christian studies.

“I’d like to become a youth minister or do something with music,” he said.