Four local golfers will hit Bowling Green Country Club today for the first round of the KHSAA State Girls’ Golf Tournament.
The boys’ tournament finished Wednesday with Owensboro Catholic’s Jakob Wellman finished in a tie for 17th. Now it’s the girls’ turn to try and make the weekend a success.
Apollo’s Macey Brown and Mary Ann Lyons, Daviess County’s Holly Holton, and Owensboro’s Alexa Salamah tee off throughout the day as they try to go low in an attempt to make the cut and play in Saturday’s final round.
Brown is coming off of a victory at the 2nd Region girls’ tournament as the others posted solid finishes to gain entry into the state final.
Macey Brown (Apollo) 8:45 a.m., No. 10
Group: Cathryn Brown (Lyon County), Morgan Shown (Bryan Station), Nina McMurtrey (Glasgow)
Brown is fresh off of her 2nd Region Championship last week but she knows that doesn’t mean her work is done.
“I’m really just focusing on playing my game,” she said. “Focusing on just playing my best and trying not to worry about what everyone else is doing.
“I’m super excited and I get to play with some of my friends. It’s going to be pretty (Friday) so good weather, good people. You can’t get any better than that, just hopefully you go play some good golf as well.”
Brown is playing with a familiar face for the second week in a row as she’ll tee it up with Lyon County’s Cathryn Brown.
She said it’ll be nice to play with a friend but they both know what they’re there to do.
“It’s very comforting, it takes the nerves away a little bit because you get to play with people that you know,” she said. “They know your golf game, you know theirs. If you hit a bad shot, it’s not that big of a deal. But at the same time, you have to be able to focus, you have to be able to focus on your game and you can’t be caught up. Yes it’s fun, talk to your friends, have a good day, that’s the most important part but you also have to focus on being serious at the same time.”
Brown has spent the last week fine-tuning her skills as she’s focused on her short game. She said she knows it’ll be key this weekend.
The Apollo junior is familiar with BGCC as this is her third straight appearance in the state tournament.
She said it’s a different type of nerves this time around.
“When you’re younger, you don’t really know how to cope with your nerves, it kind of takes over your mind,” she said. “This year I’ve had a lot of time to be able to cope and it’s just been a lot better. When you calm your nerves, you play a lot better round.”
There are a few names that have been thrown around for possible favorites at the tournament and Brown’s name is among them.
She said she had mixed feelings about being a player people have discussed.
“I’ve been trying to block it out this whole week,” she said. “It’s been in the back of my mind.”
Brown said as long as she plays her game, everything else will fall into place.
Mary Ann Lyons (Apollo) 1 p.m., No. 10
Group: Hannah Dargie (Ryle), Natalie Lovell (Notre Dame), Madeline Vickers (Jackson County)
When Lyons qualified for state, she admitted she was surprised but excited to get the opportunity to showcase her skills on the big stage.
Lyons said goals for Friday are to stay focused and just have a good time.
“My mindset tomorrow is to just play my normal game and try not to let my nerves get the best of me, but most importantly to have fun,” she said.
Lyons, a freshman, is heading into her first state tournament but she’s already played in tense situations as she needed a playoff to advance to Bowling Green.
She said she’s going to watch those around to gain more tips for the future.
“I feel a little pressured going in playing with older players, but I know I have a few more years to come and hopefully come back and improve,” she said.
She said her veteran teammate has been great in assisting her get prepared.
“Macey has helped me by just encouraging me, and telling me that it will be a good experience for me,” she said. “I’m just glad to be down there with my own teammate and Alexa and Holly.”
For Lyons, Friday is all about the basics and doing what she needs to do to succeed.
“I just need to play the course and remember everything I’ve been taught,” she said. “I’m going to try and putt for par on each hole and do the best to my ability.”
Holly Holton (Daviess County) 12:45 p.m., No. 10
Group: Hannah Rice (Notre Dame), Sarah Steimer (St. Henry), Mallory Hardesty (Owen County)
Holton is making her third trip to the state tournament and said she’s excited to be back.
“I am thankful to have the added advantage of knowing the course,” she said. “I’ve played it many times before and I’m familiar with how to play it.”
Holton said while she’s ready for the challenge, she’s not going to put too much pressure on herself.
“I’m just trying to go out and have fun,” she said. “Having a positive mindset while you play is key, otherwise you’ll get too into your head and you’ll overthink. I’m just focusing on my playing my own game.”
DC coach Logan Clark has helped Holton this week and she hopes that will help her during her round.
“It’s been good, I went out with my coach to practice a couple times and I played well,” she said. “Hopefully, that draws out into (Friday) as well.”
To be successful, Holton said she needs more time on greens. There’s also a couple of other things Holton said she needs with her.
“For me to be successful, all I need is some time on those greens to get acclimated, some Gushers gummies and my supporters,” she said.
Gushers have become the official snack food of the Lady Panthers’ golf team and Holton said she hopes it makes the difference.
Alexa Salamah (Owensboro) 1:30 p.m., No. 10
Group: Heidi Stedam (Owen County), Cailin Lindon (Hazard), Taylor Gaunce (Barren County)
Salamah is one of the youngest competitors at the state tournament and said she’s been excited since last week’s regional tournament, but admitted as Friday drew closer she became more nervous — but there has been a silver lining.
“It does relieve a lot of pressure knowing that I have several more chances to qualify and to play at state,” she said.
Salamah fired an 85 last week at Hopkinsville to grab fifth place and advance to BG. She said she does her best on the course when she stays within herself.
“I notice I play my best when I don’t focus on scores and just focus on the shot I’m on,” she said. “Right now I’m hitting a lot of fairways with my drive, hopefully that will continue through the tournament.”
While Salamah wants a high finish this weekend and the opportunity to play Saturday, she’s hoping to use the tournament as a jumping off point for the rest of her prep career.
“I’ve never played in a tournament with a cut or even a two-day tournament,” she said. “I’m glad I get to go through this experience so I know what to expect for future tournaments.”
