Parkers Chapel will send a team of sophomores to the 2A State Girls Golf Tournament, which tees off Monday at Turkey Mountain in Salem.
Sophomores don’t normally win state championships. But they don’t usually win tournament titles in sudden death playoffs, either.
The Lady Trojans claimed the 2A 6 Conference crown last week with a dramatic win over Horatio. Bella Frisby fired a career-best 73 and then made par in the playoff to help lift PC to victory. Reaux McAuliffe and Makenzie Morgan rounded out the championship lineup, which will compete in the state tournament.
“So very proud of our girls. Bella had a stellar day with her best ever tournament round and Reaux really stepped up, especially in the playoff. Makenzie did her part to help us tie for first,” Coach Mona Williams said after the dramatic victory.
“Going to state as a team of sophomores will be good for them and their future as a team.”
PC will certainly have momentum going into the event. Williams said winning last week, especially the way they won, could carry over for the young Lady Trojans.
“I think it does a lot, especially for Reaux. She had to pair up with Bella for the playoff. Being under that kind of pressure, you can’t replicate that in practice,” she said. “Having that experience going into a state tournament will do nothing but benefit her and Bella.”
As a team, Williams admitted this trip could be more about gaining experience than toting home a trophy. Then again, these Lady Trojans have surprised before.
“As a team, because they’re so young, Makenzie is a beginning player. This is her first year to experience competitive golf. I’m not sure team-wise … I think it will be good for them in the next coming years because they’re all sophomores.
“If we can be in the top five teams, that would be awesome.”