Takeaways from the IHSAA girls golf regional at Country Oaks

MONTGOMERY, Ind. – This was quite the eventful day at Country Oaks.

The Southern Indiana Athletic Conference had another successful showing in the Washington Regional with one team and three individuals advancing to the state championship. Based on how the day started, and by extension the season, this effort was earned.

From a mentally tough performance to a team looking to remedy past ills, there was plenty to unpack. A look at four takeaways from the regional on Saturday.

Week 6 football: Evansville-area high school scores

Few could accomplish what Ashley Kirkland did

This might be the most impressive round ever from the Castle standout.

Such a statement isn’t given lightly based on her pedigree and history. From how she started to where she stood walking off the 18th green, very few are mentally equipped to do. That’s a fact.

Kirkland posted a 1-over 73 to win the regional individual title and earn a spot in the state championship. The junior birdied four in a five-hole stretch on the back nine to leave no doubt the identity of the best player on the course.

She took a nine on the opening hole. She still beat the field by five shots.

"Not something most players can do," said Castle coach Luke Richison. "Not just to overcame a bad start but mentally overcame that hurdle. Even at the turn, I wasn't so certain she'd snap out of it. Around hole No. 12, she put on that champion attitude."

The first hole was jarring. One tee shot in the water and another out of bounds. Kirkland made the turn at 5-over 41. Instead of feeling sorry and spiraling further, she went to work.

A simple two-putt at the par-5 12th. She drove the green at 13 for another easy birdie. Kirkland added two more circles to her card at 15 and 16. This stretch, and how she responded following those two errant shots, said more about her than another low score.

Kirkland battled herself and the course. She won the fight. The field at Prairie View needs to be on alert.

“I'm very proud of this round," said Kirkland. "It's really easy to give up. I think I pulled it together. What kept me in check was knowing my team had a shot. I was playing for my team. My coaches really helped me throughout the day. The whole team."

Jasper secured its best season in 11 years

Dejected sums up how Jasper felt at Country Oaks last year. It tied Gibson Southern for the third advancing spot but were eliminated on the fifth-player tiebreaker. That score was decided by a single shot.

Redemption this year as the Wildcats took third with a 345 to earn its spot at Prairie View. This will be the Wildcats’ first trip to state since winning the regional at Eagle Valley in 2012.

“It's a good feeling," Jasper coach Josh Dahmer said. "These girls deserve it. They've worked hard. We had some bad blood because we didn't get in last year. The girls were hungry."

It’s been quite the postseason run the past three weeks. The program won its first SIAC title at Helfrich and fourth straight sectional at Buffalo Trace. Now add its best season in over a decade to its resume.

Addie Dart finished tied for second overall with a 78. Kristin Roos (87), Maddy Gaug (90) and Molly Kissel (90) rounded out a balanced lineup.

“We care about the nine-hole matches and don't want to downplay those," Dahmer said. "But it's the Saturday matches that really count. They've turned it on the last three weeks. Getting them to not worry about what happened in the past has been our focus. It's paid off."

This day belonged to the SIAC

No. 14 Bedford North Lawrence won its first regional title in 38 years with a 332. No. 19 Terre Haute South earned second at 345, besting Jasper on a tiebreaker. These were expected from the only ranked teams in the field.

But the SIAC continued to leave its mark on this tournament. Of course, the Wildcats advanced and Kirkland was the regional champion. They'll be joined at the state finals by North junior Kiley Standring and Memorial sophomore Abby Shires.

This marks an important moment for the Huskies. It's been a rebuild following a run that ranked among the best in Indiana history. North coach Anna Hevron can show the next group what is possible. Standring, a regional qualifier last year, staked her spot with a 79.

"It gives us a guiding light on the way forward," said Hevron. "She shot a 70 (in the Washington Invitational). We saw she had more potential than we originally realized. We worked on consistency, getting her irons in shape and really narrowing in on her target. Her putting was just on fire today."

Shires' day admittedly was tougher. She posted an 80 but needed to win a playoff against Channey Clark of Washington. Whatever nerves existed were left at the practice putting green. Spires took a dangerous line but found the fairway off the tee on the par-4 18th.

Clark found the water multiple times to give Shires the final advancing spot to the state championship. In a short time, she has established herself as one of the top players in the area.

"My heart was kind of racing," Shires said. "I realized (the round) didn't matter. I was on this hole and tried to replay what I did earlier. I've worked really hard the past couple of years to grind my way through challenges. Excited for the competition to see what pushes me more."

The potential next season in SW Indiana is promising

This fall was difficult to predict around Evansville with no dominant team like recent history. Next year has the potential to be stronger.

Castle continued its retooling with a fourth-place finish at 364. The Knights were shooting in the 400s to begin the season in July, so the progress is clear. In addition to Kirkland, the rest of the lineup returns, too. Leena Rice (88) and Jenna Smith (99) boosted the scoring on Saturday.

Memorial was sixth at 371 and could return its entire lineup. Led by PAC champion and junior Haley Hughes, Gibson Southern finished seventh at 376. Washington (383) and Mater Dei (396) were also in the top 10. Individual qualifiers Brooklyn Sturgeon (North Knox), Jacqueline Steininger (Rivet), Hope Hanmore (Reitz), Addison Kibbons (South Spencer) and Mackenzie Mills (North Posey) also return.

The one to watch is Barr-Reeve. A few years ago, there was only one player in the program. It now has nine and completed the best season in the Vikings' short history. Led by Olivia Emmons' 83, Barr-Reeve finished fifth with a 364. Its entire lineup is also scheduled to return.

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA girls golf: Ashley Kirkland wins regional title at Country Oaks