Owensboro area golfers won three of the four championship divisions, and several other locals finished well in the remaining age groups Thursday in a GO Junior Golf Series tournament at Ben Hawes.
The brother-sister duo of Jesse and Holly Holton, along with Emma Payne, each took home the top spot in their respective divisions.
Jesse Holton’s 1-under-par 71 was the low round of the day, earning him the Boys 16-18 Championship medal. Payne shot a 76 to win the Girls 16-18 Championship, and Holly Holton won the Girls 13-15 Championship with an 81.
Jesse Holton, who graduated from Daviess County High School last month, said just staying focused and calm helped him win. He also drew on his varsity experience with the Panthers.
“For the majority, I played in regulation,” he said. “The only thing I struggled with was my mid-irons, but I really thrived on my drives. (Playing with a team) helps you learn how to relax on the golf course. And you learn tips and tricks from your teammates can really help your game.”
Payne is entering her senior campaign at Owensboro Catholic High School. She said it took her a while to get going, but she closed out the day well.
“I struggled on my first nine a little bit but I had a decent last nine,” she said. “It was hard because I’ve been working on my swing a lot and trying to get that down. It’s not the score I wanted, but I’m happy with a 76.”
Payne has been using the summer to prepare for her last year with the Lady Aces.
“Around the green, I’ve been working on different shots and trajectories trying to get it closer to the hole,” she said. “That really saved me today. I’m just trying to take it one day at a time, practicing on what I need to do. These tournaments help a ton.”
Holly Holton will return to Daviess County for her sophomore season, and she said playing the GO Series is helping her shake off some rust after a long layoff.
“It allows me to get warmed up because I don’t play over the winter,” she said. “Doing this allows me to get back in the flow of things for the high school season.”
In the Girls 9-10 (6 holes) division, Owensboro’s Ryann Kasey and Riley Hayden tied for the low round with a 45. Kasey claimed first place with the tiebreaker.
Second-place finishers in their divisions were Chris Salamah (74, Boys 16-18 Championship), Addison Heady (89, Girls 13-15 Championship), Grayson Powers (47, 13-15 — 9 holes), Hannah Robbins (46, Girls 11-12 — 9 holes) and Cade Kasey (18, 8 and under — 3 holes).
FULL LOCAL RESULTS
(Top-two finishers noted)
Boys 16-18 Championship
Jesse Holton – 71 (1st)
Chris Salamah – 74 – (2nd)
Griffin Payne – 79
Kegan Hall – 94
Nathan Payne – 104
Girls 16-18 Championship
Emma Payne – 76 (1st)
Boys 13-15 Championship
JT Payne – 90
Braden Whistle – 90
Jayden Lanham – 95
Dawson Lamb – 96
Cooper Danzer – 126
Girls 13-15 Championship
Holly Holton – 81 (1st)
Addison Heady – 89 (2nd)
Hadleigh Hunter – 115
Olivia McPherson – 154
Boys 13-15 (9 holes)
Grayson Powers – 47 (2nd)
Will Hume – 50
Brody Holbrook – 55
Girls 13-15 (9 holes)
AnnaLee Yager – 62
Boys 11-2 (9 holes)
Houston Danzer – 47
Luke Estes – 57
Jackson Powers – 59
Mack Burton – 62
Ethan McPherson – 66
Girls 11-12 (9 holes)
Hannah Robbins – 46 (2nd)
Alexa Salamah – 51
Boys 9-10 (6 holes)
Andrew Powell – 37
Girls 9-10 (6 holes)
Ryann Kasey – 45 (1st after tiebreaker)
Riley Hayden – 45 (2nd after tiebreaker)
Boys 8 and under (3 holes)
Cade Kasey – 18 (2nd)
John Yager – 22
Jax Hayden – 24
