Castle, Memorial and North advance from IHSAA girls golf sectional at Fendrich

EVANSVILLE — The IHSAA girls golf sectional at Fendrich never fails to provide a strong start to the state tournament.

This year was no different. A season-best from the tournament favorite? The best player in the field nearly breaking a state record? Or how about the surprise team who earned the final spot in the regional? For an area known for girls golf success over the past decade-plus, Saturday presented another noteworthy addition to the catalog.

Here are four takeaways from the opening stage of the postseason:

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Ashley Kirkland flirts with state record to win individual title

Should we be surprised if the Castle star does something great? The answer is an easy no.

Kirkland was the individual sectional champion for the third straight year. She saved her best for her final walk around Fendrich with a 6-under 64. It was one shot off the state record for a sectional, set by Chloe Johnson of North in 2021.

Three birdies, two eagles and one bogey. Kirkland left zero doubt who the best player in the field was.

"I was very confident over the ball," she said. "Everyone has to find their confidence. I still didn't make a lot of putts I could have. Practicing and warming up I was very calm. I wasn't nervous."

Kirkland eagled the par-5 seventh and 10th while mixing in birdies at 1, 5 and 16. Better yet were no bad numbers. The Xavier commit won the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference tournament on Sept. 11 with a 70 at Cambridge, but the round included a quadruple bogey on her second hole.

Few courses in Southern Indiana have the ability to slow down Kirkland on her best day. There's a reason the back-to-back state runner-up is on the shortlist to contend at Prairie View yet again.

"She has the firepower," said Castle coach Luke Richison. "Today, the confidence came alive. When she steps up to a shot, she knows it's going close. When the putter is working, she can go as low as anyone."

Castle continues to stack sectional championships together

There was also no question concerning the top team in the field. No. 13 Castle posted a season-best 302 to rubber stamp its current position among programs in Southwestern Indiana with a third straight sectional title.

The Knights had three of the top four individual scores. Castle knew what to expect from Kirkland this season. The rest of the lineup though has improved year over year to push team goals further and higher. Freshman Deeya Patel shot a 76 in her first postseason tournament. Leena Rice continued a strong month with a 77.

Not to be overlooked were contributions from Jenna Smith (85) and Emma Young (89). Their individual growth, along with Bayleigh Davis, provides a strong base should anyone struggle. If they replicate this day at Country Oaks next weekend, Castle will contend for a regional championship.

"This win was a legacy thing," said Richison. "We want to string a bunch of these together. I have to give a lot of credit to numbers four, five and six. They saw Deeya Patel coming eight months away and knew there would be a fight for two spots. Those three players improved 12 shots each on 18 holes this year. That's where the bulk of that (team score) comes in."

Memorial showed a better version of itself in runner-up finish

This was much closer to what the Tigers expected of themselves.

Memorial finished second with a 345 to earn one of the three spots at Country Oaks. Could it have been better? Yes, with emphasis turning to the last spots in the lineup. It was still miles better its SIAC tournament showing. The Tigers shot a 389 at Cambridge, earning a City title in the process. It didn't feel like a win.

The lesson from multiple team meetings after that round was simple: this score couldn't happen again if the goal of reaching the state championship would be obtained. Abby Shires (74) and Emi Hoagland (79) set the tone by finishing in the top-five overall.

"This week was more of what we expected," said Memorial coach Tucker Smith. "Abby and Emi really showed up. They literally live and breathe golf. I never expect any specific score. Seeing them shoot low like that is impressive."

Shires tied her personal best, making the turn at even-par with a birdie at the par-5 seventh. Hoagland was steady throughout the round. Corinne Cooley (95) and Maggie Rhymer (97) completed the scoring for Memorial. Clean up a few mistakes and the third spot at Country Oaks, a course the Tigers previously had success on this season, is attainable.

"I was nervous going to the first tee as usual," said Shires. "I just put it away and focused on my game. I wanted to do what I knew I could do. (The team) score shows what we're capable of going into the regional."

North is ahead of schedule with regional appearance

This day was ahead of even the best projections the program had for itself.

Anna Hevron, a player on the 2014 state championship team, was realistic when hired to lead her alma mater two years ago. It would take time to rebuild the program after a decade of lofty highs. Hevron wanted the Huskies past the first weekend of the tournament as a team in five years. They did it in three.

North finished third at 371 to clip Reitz (379), Mount Vernon (381) and Mater Dei (388) for the final spot at Country Oaks. For comparison, the Huskies were 57 shots higher in the SIAC tournament a week prior.

"They kept their heads down, kept calm and had fun," said Hevron. "We have kids who really care about the game. Whether we make it out next weekend or not, to get through this year is a huge confidence boost."

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This was a surprise considering where North was in July. It had to replace four spots in the lineup, including state qualifier Kiley Standring after she chose to graduate a year early. Hevron was worried only three players would show up for a preseason call-out meeting.

The future looks much brighter now. Sophomore Carly Caswell (88), freshman Jozie Wells (89) and freshman Emerie Vaught (93) are a good foundation for the next two years. An additional week of experience in a tournament setting is everything.

"(They) decided to work their butts off all season," said Hevron. "It’s showing."

The following individuals earned a spot in the regional from non-advancing teams: Libby Reese (Mount Vernon) 81, Mackenzie Mills (North Posey) 84, Sofie Keppler (Signature) 84.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Castle, Memorial and North advance from IHSAA girls golf sectional at Fendrich