A record 125 girls are registered to participate in the seventh West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission Girls Golf Invitational on Tuesday at Woodridge Plantation Golf Course in Mineral Wells, West Virginia. This represents an increase of more than 40 players over the six-year history of the event.
A new champion is guaranteed this season as two-time champion Savannah Hawkins of Hurricane has taken her clubs on to play at Marshall University along with a number of seven of the top 10 players from last season have moved on to play at the college level.
While girls have been able to play with the boys co-ed golf for more than five decades, the girls game took a big move forward with the first full girls team at John Marshall High School in 2016 under the direction of Dave Gaudino and Bridget Carnahan. In the first year, the team had to play the many girls teams in Ohio.
Over the years, the sport has grown to nearly 20 full teams playing their own schedule primarily in the northern part of West Virginia. While the WVSSAC tournament is an individual event, the following schools will send full girls teams: John Marshall, Brooke, Weir, Wheeling Park, Wheeling Central, Morgantown, University, Herbert Hoover, Wirt, St. Marys, Fairmont Senior, Ripley, Sissonville, Princeton, George Washington, and Calhoun. Many other schools will be sending individual players as well.
While the girls do not have their separate team tournament sponsored by the WVSSAC yet, the continued growth of the sport in the state could eventually lead to a separate team tournament in the future.
Competition is divided into two divisions with players in the Championship Division playing 18 holes and players in the Open division playing 9 holes.
Possibly leading the pack in the Championship Division is Maddie Potts of Wheeling Central. A four-time participant and top 20 finisher, Potts, who is also a cheerleader, brings a complete game to the Nicklaus-designed course at Woodridge. She brings an 18-hole average in the low 80’s to the event.
Two Rivers Athletic Conference girls’ medalist Angela Yao of Morgantown will also challenge along with sophomores Kianna Garrison of John Marshall, Audrey Kerr of Bridgeport and Abby Kingora of University.
Competition is expected to begin at 9:30. Spectators are welcome and there is no admission charge.
(photos attached Maddie Potts of Wheeling Central and Kianna Garrison of John Marshall)
