Prep Golf: Shining Moment
The stranglehold the Massac County girls golf program has had on the region in the last decade swung east Wednesday.
For the first time in the program's history, the Eldorado High School girls' golf team dethroned the Patriots, shooting a 325 to win the schools first golf regional at Franklin County Country Club in West Frankfort.
The IHSA Class 1A title now resides in Saline County and for Eldorado head coach Greg Goodley, it's been a steady work in progress.
"This is something the seniors have wanted since they were freshmen," Goodley said. Every time we have played Massac County we have been competitive and put together the round we needed to beat them. More times than not, they get a majority of the breaks you need in golf to come out on top. (Wednesday), I think you saw both sides of it, we played good and they didn't get the breaks."
Massac County finished second with a 338, while Herrin also qualified for Monday's sectional with a 355.
With conditions perfect for golf, Taylor Goodley took full advantage and blistered - not only the course, but the competition - as she shot a 67 to take medalist honors.
The EHS senior's 4-under round included five birdies on No. 1, 5, 11, 12 and 15 and had just one bogey in her 18-hole round.
Ashton Goodley, who will join twin sister Taylor, at Austin Peay University next fall finished second overall with a 74.
"Taylor knew she had a good round going and didn't worry about the number," Goodley said. "She made decent length birdie putts and she had a couple of holes where she made good decisions on what clubs to hit. She stayed focused on what she was doing and did a good job on the greens."
Ashton had one birdie on No. 16 and finished with four bogeys. Her number could have been drastically different had it not been four multiple putts that lipped out.
"She definitely worked for her score," Goodley said. "She had at least five birdie putts that lipped out or stopped half a roll short of the hole.
"Both Taylor and Ashton played steady and today was a good day to do it."
Taylor Aldridge and Jacqlyn Artman rounded out the final two scores for Eldorado as Aldridge compiled an 89 and Artman added a 95.
Sydney Tate came in with a 103 and sister Keeley Tate had a 124.
"Taylor Aldridge's 89 might be close to her lowest round of the postseason," Goodley said. " Taylor didn't have her best front 9, but strung together seven pars on the back. Jacqlyn played a lot better too, She shot a 51 on the front and finished with a 44 on the back.
"One thing we talk a lot about is how you finish the last nine holes. Sometimes that pressure and fatigue start to set in and get the best of you, but I think today we saw what kind of makeup our team has."
Carterville finished fourth with a 375, while Carmi-White County took fifth with a 382.
West Frankfort (413), Goreville (432), Harrisburg (436), Anna-Jonesboro (436), Pinckneyville (438) and Zeigler-Royalton (452) rounded out the scoring.
Harrisburg got a 97 from Skylar Street as the senior couldn't parlay a second-straight sectional appearance after finishing 23rd overall.
Alexa Burtis, who also qualified for last year's sectional, missed out after shooting a 104. Gabriella Tison carded a 107 and Nicole Taylor shot a 128 for the Bulldogs.
The IHSA Class 1A Sectional returns to Franklin Country Country Club Monday.
Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.
Team Scores
1. Eldorado 325
2. Massac County 338
3. Herrin 355
4. Carterville 375
5. Carmi-White County 382
6. West Frankfort 413
7. Goreville 432
8. Harrisburg 436
8. Anna-Jonesboro 436
10. Pinckneyville 438
11. Zeigler-Royalton 452
Medalist
Taylor Goodley (EHS) 67
Advancing Individuals
Avery Rea (CAR) 78
Marissa Ferguson (DQ) 85
Carlie Gee (CWC) 89
Maddy Wenzel (90)
Ellie Carlson (PV) 92
Dakota Wiggs (CV) 92
Tiffany Brunk (CV) 93
Tanner Stadelbacher (AJ) 94
Trista Ogilvie (PV) 95
Abbie Bryant (CWC) 97