Grapeland Sandiettes Finish Sixth in State Golf Tournament

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

 

AUSTIN – The Grapeland Sandiette Golf Team of Hannah Chipman, Madelyn Conner, Jenna Lawrence, Sayler LeBlanc, Carly Parker and Callie Richburg traveled to Austin on Sunday to take part in the two day, UIL Class 2A State Golf Tournament.

While they came up a little short in the quest for a state championship, the Sandiettes played a great two rounds of golf. Their two day total of 786 was good enough for sixth place in the state behind teams from Memphis (729), Forsan (738), Wellington (754), Hamilton (765) and Mason (784).

The girls from Grapeland teed off on the Roy Kizer Golf Course at 7:30 a.m. Monday morning, May 15 and concluded the state tournament on Tuesday afternoon, May 16.

Even though the team shot well, the Austin course was quite a bit different than what the East Texas team was accustomed to playing. As a result, the girls had to adjust their overall game to play more of a bump and run style and use a lower flight trajectory.

On a links style course, there are very few trees. The fairways and greens also have a more subtle, rolling terrain than the courses the Sandiettes were more accustomed to in the Piney Woods.

On day one of the tournament, the Sandiettes were in fourth place at the conclusion of the first round with an overall total of 378. The top four scores in each round are added together to get the total.

Hannah Chipman paced the Sandiettes with a score of 85 after she shot a 45 on the front nine and a 40 on the inward nine. Her score of 85 had her in seventh place, individually.

Jenna Lawrence, the only senior on the team, carded a round of 91 with a 42 on the outward holes and a 49 on the back nine. Her round of 91 had her in 18th place after the first day of competition.

Madelyn Conner recorded a 98 with a front nine score of 45 and a back nine of 53 and was in 27th place after the first round action.

Carly Parker shot a 104 in the first round of play and was consistent on both the front and the back nine as she tallied a 52 on both. Her total of 102 had her in 39th place after the first 18 holes.

Callie Richburg rounded out the Sandiettes team on Monday with a score of 137. She shot a 64 of the first nine holes and finished up with a 73 on the back nine.

Windy conditions greeted the Sandiettes as action got underway in the final round of the tournament with the Grapeland team sitting 35 shots out of first place. The Memphis Lady Cyclones led the pack with a first day total of 343. The Forsan Lady Buffaloes were in second with a score of 348 while the Wellington Lady Rockets closed out the first round with a score of 368, just 10 strokes ahead of the Sandiettes.

Chipman paced the Sandiettes again in round two with a score of 95 after she shot a 47 on the front nine and a 48 on the inward nine. Her second round score of 95 gave her a two day total of 180 and tied her for 11th place individually.

Lawrence kept pace with Chipman throughout the second round and finished one shot behind her teammate with a score of 96. Combined with her first round total of 91, Lawrence had a two day total of 187 and was tied for 19th place individually.

Parker shaved two points off of her first round total of 104 and finished her second day on the links with a total of 102. Parker’s two day total of 206 put her in 35th place individually.

Conner shot a round of 115 and when added to her day one total of 98, she finished with an overall score of 213 to finish in 43rd place individually.

Richburg made the biggest improvement on day two for the Sandiettes as she lopped 11 strokes off of her first round total of 137. She carded a 126 to finish with a combined 263 and finished in 68th place individually.

The Latexo Lady Tigers also had two individual golfers competing in the state tournament. Jordan Davenport shot a round of 99 on the first day and a round of 96 on the second day to finish with a 195 and 24th place, individually.

Latexo’s Kelsey Patterson was also in Austin and recorded rounds of 104 and 106 for a two day total of 210 and 37th place, individually.

From all of us at The Messenger, congratulations on a great season of golf!

Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

PHOTO COURTESY OF SANDY LAWRENCE

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