The KHSAA golf season is the first to start among fall sports and the first one to come to a close.
Season’s end is near as regional golf tourneys begin across the state on Monday with a couple of area hopefuls to not only qualify for the state tournament, but possibly claim a regional title as well.
In order to qualify for the state tournament, teams need to finish top two in their respective region or for individuals qualifying, one must finish in the top four outside of the top two teams that are auto-qualifiers.
Mason County’s Mason Butler and Lewis County’s Logan Liles are the two individual hopefuls to make it to Bowling Green on the boys’ side and the Lady Royals trio of Charity Arn, Haley White and Macey Littleton also look to claim a state qualifying berth. For teams, the Royals’ boys’ and girls’ teams face outside shots at cracking the top two in the 8th Region, same with the Lions.
Here’s a look at each respective tournament over the next two days:
BOYS’ 8TH REGION
A.J. Jolly Golf Course in Alexandria will be the site of the 8th Region Tourney this year with play starting at 9 a.m., on Tuesday.
Highlands and Grant County will enter as the two favorites, with Mason County lurking behind. With it being the Bluebirds home course, one would expect they have the upper hand for the title. All three have played against one another numerous times on the season, with mixed results.
“It’s one of those things where we’re right there on the cusp,” Royals coach Chad Mefford said. “We’ve put together a good season, have had several wins, several top five finishes. We played in a tourney there in the regular season and shot a 309. We’ll take that any time.”
In the 309 at the A.J. Jolly Invitational, the Royals came in third…behind Grant County and Highlands. They’ll need a similar performance on Tuesday to stay in contention.
If not, Mefford is hopeful a couple of individuals can make their way to Bowling Green with individual qualifying. Butler, leading the way all season for the Royals will be their biggest hopeful with Evan Schumacher and Spencer Magee also hoping for berths. Kaden Grooms and Logan Shepherd round out the Royals five competing on Tuesday.
“A couple of our top five have had a rough stretch recently, so we’ve taken the approach of starting over and refreshing. We’ve had 1-on-1’s to discuss certain areas and have put a lot of practice time in. I feel like the course sets up well for us, the kids like it and we’ve been over there for several practice rounds,” Mefford said.
Butler shot a 74 during the tournament in the regular season, Grooms has fired a 75 there and Magee a 77.
In terms of the individual race for the regional title, Grant County’s Ryan and Tyler Mitts, Highlands’ Justin Gabbard, who shot a 66 at Jolly earlier in the year and Bishop Brossart’s Jerod Baynum look to be in the top five along with Butler.
“Even as a freshman, Mason has been a big leader for us, getting on the guys to work hard at their games. He wants every one of us to get to state and the guys are buying in and listening to him. The team has really come together. These kids have had a taste of victory this year and they feel like they can do it. We’re carrying a really positive mindset going in,” Mefford said.
Fleming County and St. Patrick will be bringing individuals to the tournament while Augusta will field a full team.
Golfing for Fleming County will be Logan Hughes, Hunter High and Samuel Johnson. For the Saints, Evan Kalb, Emerson Day and Kyle Hord will be taking part.
Augusta’s team consists of Sam Appelman, who qualified for the All “A” state tournament earlier in the season, Preston Philpot, John Paul Cordle, Joseph Mains and Noah Rayburn.
GIRLS’ 8TH REGION
With the wet weather and predicted forecast of rain throughout the day on Monday, the girls’ 8th Region tournament at Longview Golf Club in Georgetown has been pushed back to Wednesday in what was originally slated for a Monday start.
The Lady Royals enter as long shots to try and top Scott County and George Rogers Clark for the top two spots.
Charity Arn, Haley White and Macey Littleton are all hopeful for individual berths for the Lady Royals. Morgan Parker will be the fourth golfer to compile the Lady Royals team on Wednesday as Abbi Allison will be out with an illness.
Lady Royals coach Jason Butler knows it would take some extraordinary golf from his team to qualify for state, but they still have a goal in mind.
We were one place behind Bourbon County last year for third and I like our chances to top them this year,” butler said. “We just need to keep progressing up the ladder. As far as individually, it’s there to get. Haley and Charity have plenty of experience, Macey got to play in the regional tournament last year. We’re hoping that will pay off and we’ll go up there with the same mindset that we’ve had all year and that’s to stay consistent.”
Mason County was able to get a practice round in at Long View last week and Butler was encouraged with his team’s play.
“It was good for us to get there last Wednesday. The front has some blind holes, so I was able to take some notes and know where hazards come in to play and what side of the fairway to hit on,” Butler said.
Play is expected to start at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
Scott County’s Rylea Marcum will enter as the favorite, having won the region last year.
BOYS’ 12TH REGION
After making their first state tournament as a team in school history last year, Lewis County will need a special day to make a return appearance to Bowling Green.
Play will take place on Tuesday at Hidden Cove in Grayson, with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.
Montgomery County will be tabbed as the overwhelming favorite while Greenup County looks to be on target for second. Fighting with the Musketeers for that spot will be West Carter, East Carter, Lewis County and Ashland Blazer.
“We’re kind of a longshot this year,” Lions coach Jim Draper said. There’s some teams probably before us, but I won’t rule us out. There’s a lot of work to do to be done there though.”
In order for the Lions to compete, they’ll need their No. 1, Liles to be in contention for the top spot while Austin Ruggles and Cameron Ruckel will need rounds in the upper 70’s to low 80’s with Mark Sparks and Avery Sartin rounding out the five competing.
“Logan has a good opportunity to get to state, if everyone hits on all cylinders, we can be as competitive as anybody,” Draper said.
The Lions have played at Hidden Cove a couple times on the season, shooting rounds in the 340’s. That number will need to be about 10-15 strokes lower presumably.
