By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com
Hopkins County Central golfer Taylor Howerton teed off against Owensboro Catholic with a new title, the team's No. 1, and she held to the role's responsibilities by taking medalist honors in a dual match on Monday evening.
Howerton, an eighth-grader, earned the top spot after her recent success. She continued to perform with a day's best 41 on the back nine at Madisonville. As a team, the Lady Storm finished six strokes behind the Lady Aces 198-192.
Coach Mike Zimmer said Howerton's status is well-earned.
"I think the past four matches she's been the most consistent, the most focused, the most driven player I have, and consistent is the big key," he said. "No matter what, she is 15 yards right or left of the fairway. She is never more than that, so her second or third shots never give her trouble. You look at her scorecard. She has one six."
Howerton, who typically plays behind older sister Ashleigh Howerton, said Zimmer told the girls whoever scored better at Saturday's Glasgow Invitational would play as the team's top golfer.
After the cards were collected Saturday, Taylor Howerton's score beat Ashleigh's by two strokes.
"(Zimmer) was like 'You're going to be the No. 1, so be proud,'" Taylor Howerton said. "I was very proud."
Howerton, an eighth-grader, earned the top spot after her recent success. She continued to perform with a day's best 41 on the back nine at Madisonville. As a team, the Lady Storm finished six strokes behind the Lady Aces 198-192.
Coach Mike Zimmer said Howerton's status is well-earned.
"I think the past four matches she's been the most consistent, the most focused, the most driven player I have, and consistent is the big key," he said. "No matter what, she is 15 yards right or left of the fairway. She is never more than that, so her second or third shots never give her trouble. You look at her scorecard. She has one six."
Howerton, who typically plays behind older sister Ashleigh Howerton, said Zimmer told the girls whoever scored better at Saturday's Glasgow Invitational would play as the team's top golfer.
After the cards were collected Saturday, Taylor Howerton's score beat Ashleigh's by two strokes.
"(Zimmer) was like 'You're going to be the No. 1, so be proud,'" Taylor Howerton said. "I was very proud."
Taylor Howerton said the key to her recent surge has been her ability to maintain focus. Now, with a higher team ranking, she said she feels no pressure.
"I'm just taking the same old approach," she said. "I'm just not nervous anymore because I know I can do it and be better."
On Monday, Taylor's tee shot on the par-three 17th found the green as did Ashleigh's. Then, on No. 18, a par five, Taylor hit the green in three shots while Ashleigh's second landed approximately 20 yards in front of the green.
Zimmer said he thinks Taylor's skills will only continue to improve.
"If she keeps playing like that, she'll win the state when she's a senior," he said. "If she keeps playing with that determination, she'll win state when she's a senior."
Meanwhile, Ashleigh, a senior, followed at 46 and Lauren Lacy broke 50 by one stroke at 49. Kaitlin Moore and Kendall Bryant rounded out the varsity squad scores with 62 and 71, respectively.
Zimmer said the latter half of his roster had an off night despite exhibiting signs of quality play in recent weeks. He expects them to return to that form if the Lady Storm are going to repeat as regional champions.
Three other Central golfers competed in a junior varsity match. Hannah Tow and Rebecca Spraggs both shot 59, and Kathryn Cartwright trailed two strokes behind at 61. Kristen Hulsey and Ashley Eastwood also participated, but did not finish.
The Lady Storm next play 4 p.m. today when Central hosts Apollo.
"I'm just taking the same old approach," she said. "I'm just not nervous anymore because I know I can do it and be better."
On Monday, Taylor's tee shot on the par-three 17th found the green as did Ashleigh's. Then, on No. 18, a par five, Taylor hit the green in three shots while Ashleigh's second landed approximately 20 yards in front of the green.
Zimmer said he thinks Taylor's skills will only continue to improve.
"If she keeps playing like that, she'll win the state when she's a senior," he said. "If she keeps playing with that determination, she'll win state when she's a senior."
Meanwhile, Ashleigh, a senior, followed at 46 and Lauren Lacy broke 50 by one stroke at 49. Kaitlin Moore and Kendall Bryant rounded out the varsity squad scores with 62 and 71, respectively.
Zimmer said the latter half of his roster had an off night despite exhibiting signs of quality play in recent weeks. He expects them to return to that form if the Lady Storm are going to repeat as regional champions.
Three other Central golfers competed in a junior varsity match. Hannah Tow and Rebecca Spraggs both shot 59, and Kathryn Cartwright trailed two strokes behind at 61. Kristen Hulsey and Ashley Eastwood also participated, but did not finish.
The Lady Storm next play 4 p.m. today when Central hosts Apollo.
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