ANDERSON — Lapel junior Kristen Hobbs is off to a torrid start for the season, and the Saturday, Aug. 19, round at the Madison County golf tournament was no different.
Hobbs, starting on the ninth hole, matched a school record with a one-under-par 34 on the back nine on her way to tournament medalist honors, with a 74 to lead the Lapel Bulldogs to their second county title in three years.
Hobbs was poised to match the school record for 18 holes as well but struggled on holes seven and eight to finish her round. Despite those two holes, Hobbs was six shots ahead of Gabby Rahrar of Madison-Grant, who finished with an 80.
“Three over par is still a great score,” Lapel coach Molly Bays said. “Every time I saw her, she was really consistent and hitting shots right down the middle.”
Bulldog junior Lauren Lutz backed Hobbs up with her own personal best, shooting an 88 to garner all-county honors.
“I was really proud of Lauren,” Bays said. “She was hitting it well and playing strong golf. She had a triple (bogey) on No. 10 but didn’t let that affect her. She came back and played well. That was key to her breaking 90 today.”
A third Lapel golfer just missed being all-county; senior Bridget Mudd posted a 102. The top six and ties make the all-county team, and Mudd would have received the honor with a 100.
“It’s not her personal best, but still pretty decent for her,” Bays said.
Freshman Sierra Campbell posted a 111, and senior Makena Mason added a 113. The Bulldogs beat out runner-up Madison-Grant by 19 strokes, 375-394.
“I’m just happy for the girls; they were really excited,” Bays said. “I’m proud of the way they played today.”
The defending champion Pendleton Heights Arabians finished a strong third place, with a team score of 410. Anderson was fourth with a 482.
The Arabians added two members to the all-county team; senior Kiersten Maxwell shot an 18-hole personal best 88, tying Lutz for third individually, and sophomore Danielle Tinsley added a 90 for the Arabians.
Junior Haley Brown shot a 109, and the 123 from freshman Ryann Norris represented a personal best.