The Kentucky Golf Coaches Association All-State tournament was held over the weekend in Lexington at the University Club of Kentucky courses.
The top 15 teams and next 21 best individuals in the All-State points standings were invited as the KHSAA golf season is winding down with region tournaments looming next week.
The top Northern Kentucky finishers were the Ryle boys golf team in sixth place with a 36-hole team score of 22-over-par. The Raiders Paxton McKelvey was the highest NKY individual finisher in 11th with a 36-hole score of 1-over. McKelvey shot a 67 on the first day, one stroke off the lead and shot a 75 on Sunday.
St. Xavier’s boys won the team trophy at 8-under. Madison Central (-4), McCracken County (+8), Lexington Christian Academy (+13) and Eastern (+14) rounded out the top five.
LCA’s Parker Geldhof won the individual title with a score of eight-under, including a 9-under 62 on the final round.
Ryle’s Thomas Leone finished tied for 25th at 2-over and Hayden Li tied for 33rd at 4-over. Jake Roscoe tied for 76th (+17) and Chandler James tied for 86th (+22). The Raiders will now set their sights on winning a 7th Region title next week.
Campbell County’s Talen Beane and Dixie Heights’ Jack Woolwine qualified individually, Beane finishing tied for 39th at 5-over and Woolwine tied for 62nd at 12-over.
Ryle’s girls finished 13th in the 15-team field. They finished 135-over. LCA’s girls won with a team score of 25-over by three strokes against Sacred Heart. Madison Central finished third at 31-over. Marshall County (+63) and Daviess County (+72) rounded out the top five.
Marshall County’s Trinity Beth won the individual title on the girls side with a 36-hole score of 12-under. Ryle’s Anika Okuda was the top Lady Raiders finisher in 31st at 13-over. Elizabeth Dickson finished 76th (+39), Morgan Poe tied for 79th (+43), Lacey Wilson was 85th (+47) and Lee Ann Wolfe 92nd (+70).
The KGCA All-State tournament is heavily weighted towards All-State points and Mr. and Miss Kentucky Golfer of the Year. After the state tournament, the top 10 in boys and girls All-State points standings make the All-State first team, the next 10 make the All-State second team. The top point getter wins Mr. and Miss Kentucky Golf.
Region tournaments start on Sept. 22. The girls 7th Region tournament is Sept. 22 at The Golf Courses at Kenton County Pioneer Course and the boys 7th Region Tournament will be at Boone Links Golf Course on Sept .23. The girls 8th Region tournament will be Sept. 22 at Eagle Creek Country Club and the boys 8th Region tournament will be at Henry County Country Club on Sept. 23.
NOTE: The 7th Region golf teams consist of: Beechwood, Boone County, Calvary Christian, Conner, Cooper, Covington Catholic, Covington Latin, Dixie Heights, Holy Cross, Notre Dame Academy, Ryle, Scott, Simon Kenton, St. Henry District, Villa Madonna, Walton-Verona.
NOTE: The 8th Region golf teams consist of: Augusta, Bishop Brossart, Bourbon County, Bracken County, Campbell County, Carroll County, Gallatin County, Grant County, Harrison County, Henry County, Highlands, Newport Central Catholic, Nicholas County, Owen County, Paris, Pendleton County, Trimble County, Williamstown.
The top three teams and next 10 individuals then qualify for the first round of the state tournament to be played on Sept. 29-30. Regions 5-8 will play at Pendleton Hills. The girls play Sept. 29 and the boys play Sept. 30. Regions 1-4 play at Calvert City Country Club and Regions 9-12 play at Winchester Country Club.
The top three teams from each region and then the next 10 best individuals then qualify for the final two rounds of the state tournament in Bowling Green at the Bowling Green Country Club. The girls final two rounds are Oct. 7-8 while the boys are Oct. 9-10.