Brownstown Central golfer Ashlyn Fox said the Braves winning the Mid-Southern Conference tournament felt worthy of the kind of big prize professional athletes get as recognition.
“I feel like we’re about ready to go to Disney World or something,” Fox said. “(Winning the MSC title) is so cool. I love having this feeling.”
It’s not clear what the “or something” might be, but the Brownstown Central squad did make the most of it Saturday.
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Coach Brandon Allman said it took a team effort to win the title at Shadowood Golf Course in Seymour.
“I thought our girls showed some perseverance,” he said after the Braves shot a 405 to win the tournament by two strokes over Scottsburg.
Silver Creek shot 424, Corydon Central 427, Clarksville 450, North Harrison 472 and Salem 522.
Several players’ parents wore T-shirts that read “Believe and Achieve” on the back.
Allman said that’s the team’s motto.
“We still have to have some more belief,” he said. “I think there is still a little doubt in some of their minds. I told them our goal today was to break 400. I told them if they broke 400, for sure they would be conference champions.”
However, 405, the Braves’ lowest 18-hole total, was good enough.
“I stress to them all the time that every shot is important, whether that be a pitch out or making a 10-footer for a seven,” Allman said.
Allman noted different girls came up with big shots throughout the day.
“Ashlyn was really struggling on the front nine,” he said. “I went with her on 10 and 11, and she makes a birdie and hit a couple good shots and started to get some confidence and turns around and shoots a 43 on the backside.”
Allman thought the Braves struggled early before getting themselves together.
“I can’t say enough about them,” he said. “Kelsey Ault played really well again today. She’s had ups and downs but played really well coming in with a 109. We definitely needed it. The girls are really close and play off one another. I’m thrilled to death for them. They’ve worked really hard, and our scores have improved immensely over the last year.”
Fox had the low score with 51-43-94 and was followed by Lexie Satterthwaite at 47-52-99, Payton Ault at 50-53-103, Kelsey Ault at 51-58-109 and Hannah Hackman at 59-60-119. Fox and Payton Ault had birdies.
Fox and Satterthwaite said they were happy to help Allman win his first MSC title in his sixth season as coach of the team.
“The front nine, I kind of struggled a little bit,” Fox said. “My drives were kind of off. My putting was a little bad. The back nine was much better. I (had personal record) on the back nine, so that was very nice, and I had a great day overall. The 94 is my best tournament score.”
The 47 on the front nine and 99 for 18 were career lows for Satterthwaite.
“It was kind of an easy-going day,” she said. “I was in a good mood, and the greens were rolling pretty fast. I was trying to figure them out. I was on my game today. I think my putts is what did it. My drives weren’t really going very far. My second and third shots are what helped.”
Fox, Satterthwaite and Payton Ault were all-MSC first team, and Kelsey Ault was honorable mention.
Jacy Strickler of Silver Creek was tournament medalist with an 87.
The Braves will play a match at Otis Park in Bedford on Thursday and then will return there Saturday for the sectional.
“Getting the girls’ confidence is kind of a mental block at times for them over there,” Allman said. “It’s like ‘It’s Otis Park with small greens and the hills.’ Hopefully, this will kind of propel us because I think we need to break 400 (to advance).”