After winning their third straight regional title last week, the Daviess County girls’ golf team was calm and stoic, knowing two massive challenges still lay in front of them. They cleared the first hurdle Tuesday, shooting a 331 to win the semi-state tournament and beat second-place South Warren by eight strokes.
“I am extremely proud of our group of girls,” Daviess County head coach Jonas Billingsley said. “With all the rain we’ve had, the course did not play easy today. We’re fortunate that all four of our girls played exceptionally well on the front nine. We didn’t finish as strong as we would like on the back nine, but the girls held on and got a win today.”
The backbone of the Lady Panthers, Claire Reynolds shot a 76, tying her with Cumberland County’s Kenzie Willen and Ballard Memorial’s Maddison Glisson for first in the individual. Baylie Billingsley and Alexa Salamah both shot 84, tying them with South Warren’s Elsie Espinola and Hickman County’s Katie Abernathy for 15th overall. Rounding out the team’s top four scores was Briley Billingsley, shooting 87 and tying for 22nd overall with five others.
One last hurdle remains — the state finals, which are next weekend.
“State finals is a two-day tournament, and our goal is to play some great golf and finish in the top three,” Jonas Billingsley said. “We are capable of winning it all, but everyone will need to contribute and stay on track.”
Owensboro Catholic’s Hannah Robbins advanced as an individual, shot a 91.
“Hannah had two pretty rough holes, but bounced back very well after each one,” Owensboro Catholic head coach Jenny Burns said. “One of the things we have been working on this season is focusing so much on your next shot that you completely forgot your last shot. She did that well today and I am very proud of her.”
