Bowling Green & Barren County seek to spoil the Spartan Party at Park Mammoth
By Perry Swack
When the 3rd Region golf tournament tees off at Park Mammoth on Wednesday, all eyes will be on one golfer: South Warren’s Sydney McClanahan. The junior is looking to join a rare group of golfers in her quest to win three-consecutive region championships. In 2021, McClanahan won her first title by five shots before going back-to-back in 2022 with a one-shot victory over Conleigh Wilson of Franklin-Simpson. Her 2022 crown coincided with South Warren winning the team event for a fifth time in six seasons. The Lady Spartans will be favored to win its sixth in seven years when the golfers take to Park Mammoth Golf Club on Wednesday.
McClanahan’s junior season has followed in lock step with prior seasons, most recently with a fourth-place finish at the WBGIT played at Bowling Green Country Club. Her strong showing helped propel the Lady Spartans to a fourth-place team finish with many of the state’s top teams in the field. “Having Sydney certainly helps (our team),” coach Eric Holeman told the Sporting Times. “She gives them notes and advice on courses we play during the season.” One player Holeman expected to produce was Elsie Espinola. The freshman tied for 15th place at the WBGIT with an 83 after posting a T9 finish at the Lady Spartan Invitational in July. Sophomore Stella Forney has also had a strong season, placing in the top 25 in both the Lady Spartan Invitational and the WBGIT.
The aforementioned Lady Spartan Invitational was a major event for area golf teams because it was played at Park Mammoth. Although the tournament was at the start of the season, it gave golfers a detailed look at the course they will be playing this week when the region event begins. If McClanahan nor a teammate take the region crown, the champion may come from Bowling Green or Barren County. The Lady Purples have been runners-up in each of the last two seasons. Sophomore Caroline Childers has had an outstanding year on the links, most recently placing second overall in the Van Meter Cup. She tied for 15th at the WBGIT and 20th at the KGCA All-State Championship. Childers has also performed well at Park Mammoth this season, making her a threat to take the title as well. She tied McClanahan for second at a BGT event over the summer before tying for sixth at the Lady Spartan. Teammate Jenna Harston will likely play a factor in the proceedings after a T15 finish at the WBGIT and a T16 at the Lady Spartan.
Barren County freshman Chloe Witcher placed tenth at the 2022 region tournament and will be looking for another strong showing after an impressive 2023 campaign. She led the Trojanettes to the 15th District title last week, finishing first overall. Witcher’s tie for sixth at the Lady Spartan will certainly provide confidence this week. Junior Kinsey Edwards was the low finisher for the Trojanettes at the WBGIT and the KGCA All-State Tournament, and Lucy Zalla placed second at the 15th District Tournament. These golfers provide Barren County with the needed depth for a title run.
A player outside of these three teams that will likely be in contention at Park Mammoth is Cumberland County’s Kenzie Willen. The Lady Panther freshman placed ninth at region in 2022 before finishing solo 12th at the Lady Spartan Invitational. This past weekend Willen tied for 27th in the all-state event, giving her momentum down the home stretch.
Check back this week for updates on the 3rd Region Tournament leaderboard from Park Mammoth Golf Club.
Five More Notable Names
Ella Anderson, Allen County-Scottsville
Chloe Chaney, Franklin-Simpson
Maddie Green, Warren East
Langley Hunt, Greenwood
Tinsley Neagle, Barren County
