Came & Conquered
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The distance for Jessa Handwerk and Taylor Goodley are nearly similar as they embark on this weekend's IHSA State Girls' Golf Tournament, but the road to Decatur is one of two different paths.
For Handwerk, it's a swan song of sorts. The Harrisburg High School senior will enter this weekend's state tournament as the overall winner of Tuesday's IHSA Sectional at Crab Orchard Golf Course with a 74.
As for Goodley, the Eldorado High School freshman finished with a 79, playing for an Eagle golf team that finished fifth overall at this year's event.
Handwerk bested the field at this past year's IHSA Regional at Union County Country Club and didn't waste long in putting the rest of the field behind her Tuesday as she jumped out with a front nine 35. Handwerk started her day with a par-4 on No. 1, but followed it up with a bogey at No. 2. From there on Handwerk would par the following five holes, before finishing with back-to-back birdies on No. 8 and No. 9. The backside for Handwerk included five bogeys that led to a 39.
The fuel for Handwerk's fire Tuesday was due in part to the fact that she "finally found my swing."
"It comes and goes," Handwerk joked. "But I was making putts from the start and that always helps. I was able to get up and down a few times and that helped too."
The Bulldog senior, who finished eighth overall at last year's state tournament, said the feel is one of excitement.
"It feels great just to make it to state," Handwerk said. "I've been working really hard with my coach Steve Heckle and I'm just ecstatic.
"I had a good year last year, but kind of struggled at times this year. It's really awesome to be going into what we call our postseason playing really well."
For Goodley, it's somewhat of a bitter-sweet feeling, who will be embarking on her first state appearance and will be doing so without her twin sister Ashton, who missed the cut by two strokes after posting an 18-hole total of 88.
Ashton Unthank shot a 100 for and Eldorado team that finished last in the Sectionals a year ago. Taylor Aldridge fired a 107, while Megan Patterson finished with a 120. Sam Mings had a 131 for the Eagles.
Taylor Goodley knows the road in front of her in a long and winding one. Still, she's excited about the opportunity that has presented itself.
"I'm pretty excited, but at the same time, being a freshman it makes me a little nervous. There is a lot of great competition out there and my plan is to just go out there and give it all I can."
Goodley had five bogeys on her card during her play on the front nine. She bogeyed No. 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9. She made a par at the par-3 10th, but followed that with a bogey on 11, 13, 14 and 15 for a 38 on the backside.
Despite no birdies on a day where Crab Orchard Golf Course played long and course management was key, Goodley said her short game is what saved her.
"I definitely chipped and putted well. It saved my game, I didn't hit many fairways, but the ability to get up and down really helped me out a lot."
Nashville won the overall event with a team total of 355, while Massac County came in second with a 368. The third and fourth spots went to Okawville (369) and Highland (370), while Eldorado rounded out the top five.