North captures tri-match

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

The Hopkins County Central and Madisonville-North Hopkins girls’ golf teams were both in action Monday evening at Lakeshore Country Club, and each team ended the day with something to boast about.

Ashleigh Howerton tied for medalist as top individual golfer for the Lady Storm, but North took the team victory on its home course over Central and Henderson County.

The Lady Maroons took the tri-match’s team title, defeating Central by 10 strokes and Henderson by 11.

Although his team won the match, North coach Sam Westfall said the group is not at the top of its game, but that’s not entirely bad.

“You don’t peak during this time of the season,” he said. “You try to get better every match, and we did get better a couple strokes.

“I want to peak at regionals. That’s what we’re aiming for. We’re going to win regionals.”

Lauren Mashburn took a nine on the second hole but rebounded to lead the North squad with a 44.

“I told her it’s just one hole, don’t let it bother you,” Westfall said. “There’s nothing you can do now. Just go out and play your game and she did. Other than that one hole, she played pretty good.”

Mashburn’s teammate Rose Ripa, who took a medalist honor last week, continued to impress Westfall after shooting a 45.

“She’s done really, really good this year so far,” he said. “She’s been a real pleasant surprise.”

Despite Ripa’s success, Westfall said he thinks she can still get even closer to 40.

Other Lady Maroons contributing to the win included junior Sydney Fredrick (48), freshman Tori Eddings (49), senior Mikayla McKenzie (50) and sophomore Ashley Mashburn (51).

Despite finishing second as a team, the Lady Storm’s Howerton improved three strokes from her previous outing to tie for top individual honors.

Although she claimed the title, Howerton said she feels there is still more room for improvement.

“I had a pretty good score, but I wasn’t too pleased with it,” she said. “I could have done better.”

Howerton’s most impressive series of shots came on the sixth hole. After hitting her tee shot behind a row of large trees off the right side of the fairway, Howerton did not have a clear shot.

“I had limbs in my way and probably five feet of air to work with,” she said.

With the trees bearing down on her, Howerton hit into the middle of the fairway. On her next shot, she knocked down her iron to within five inches of the pin, where she tapped in for par.

Three holes later Howerton finished with a 40, tied for the day’s best with Henderson’s Erin Hunsaker.

Central coach Mike Zimmer said there is still room for improvement though.

“When it comes down to it she could easily shoot under 40 if she concentrates on her putting,” Zimmer said. “She can hit the ball pretty good, but she’s got to work on that short putting game.”

Before even speaking to her coach, Howerton said she knows she will “go live on the green and practice there.”

Behind Howerton on the depth chart, each of the Lady Storm golfers improved upon last week’s scores.

Lauren Lacy finished with a 45, and Howerton’s younger sister Taylor shot a 50.

Kendal Bryan and Kathryn Cartwright each posted a 61 and Kaitlin Moore ended one stroke behind at 62.

Zimmer especially noted the progress of Cartwright and Moore, who improved by nearly 10 strokes from their last outing. Zimmer said he hopes the girls can continue to improve and maintain lower scores.

The Central golfers will get another chance to improve today when they play host to Muhlenberg South and Henderson at Madisonville Golf and Country Club.

North returns to action Thursday when the team takes to the road to play Union County.

In other local golf results, each of Hopkins County’s three boys’ varsity golf teams were also in action on Monday evening.

n The North boys were victorious in their matchup with University Heights Academy at The Links at Novodell, shooting 152 to the Blazers’ 172.

Maroon golfer Patrick Hibbs finished as medalist after firing a 36, while teammate David Rose was right behind with a 38. Cliff Carter and Ben Gatlin each shot 39, while Daniel Stewart carded a 41.

The Maroons will take on Henderson County this afternoon at the Players Club.

n The Central boys’ team took fourth in a quad meet at Madisonville Golf and Country Club after shooting a combined score of 191. Apollo (153) finished first, edging out second-place Daviess County (154). Henderson County took third with 178.

Central’s Collin Farmer took top honors for the Storm, carding a 46, while Heath Williams shot 47 and Blake Nelson 48. Landon Griffith (50), Joey Watkins (51) and Andrew Schniep (52) rounded out the scores for Central.

Apollo’s Matt Atkins was the medalist, shooting a 34.

The boys will be in action again this afternoon against Henderson County at Henderson Country Club.

n Dawson Springs finished third in a tri-match against Butler County and Union County after shooting 224. Union finished first with a five-over 149, while Butler took second with 181.

Dylan Frost led the effort for the Panthers, shooting a 41, while Aaron Labrado carded a 45. Dillon Shelton and Grant McCuiston each shot 69 to round out individual results for Dawson.

Union’s Coleman West finished as medalist with a 35.

The Panthers will be back in action Thursday afternoon at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Golf Course.