Cumberland County’s Kenzie Willen wins individual title
By Perry Swack
For the first time since 2018, a South Warren golfer did not win the individual title at the 3rd Region girls’ golf championship. However, the Lady Spartans placed golfers second, third, and fourth to cruise to its sixth region championship in seven seasons. The individual title went to Cumberland County’s Kenzie Willen. The freshman shot an even-par 70 to win by three strokes over the South Warren trio of Sydney McClanahan, Elsie Espinola, and Stella Forney. Willen finished the day with four pars, four birdies, and 14 pars. The Lady Panther birdied both 17 and 18 to clinch the title.
South’s McClanahan shot a 73 (+3) to lead the Lady Spartans, while Espinola’s 75 (+5) and Forney’s 78 (+8) helped round out a historic finish for the program. The team shot a 328 to win the event by nine strokes over Bowling Green.
Bowling Green finished second for a third-straight season, qualifying for a berth in the state tournament behind Caroline Childers’ fifth-place finish. The sophomore shot a 79 (+9), while Mary Douglas Childers and Jenna Harston finished T7 with 84s at +14. Amy Tomblinson finished tied for 13th.
South Warren and Bowling Green qualified for the first round of the of the Leachman Buick GMC Cadillac KHSAA state golf championships set to be played at Calvert City Gold & Country Club. Other Region 3 qualifiers include Barren County’s trio of Lucy Zalla, Kinsey Edwards, and Chloe Witcher, the Allen County-Scottsville’s duo of Allison Ford and Kennedy Carter, Edmonson County’s Abby Hogg and Makayla Hogg, Franklin-Simpson’s Chloe Chaney, and Warren East’s Maddie Green.
Russell County will also participate in the first round of the state tournament after finishing as the 4th Region runner-up behind West Jessamine. Senior Breanna Trautman tied for third in the region event with a 79.
The first round of the state tournament begins Monday, September 25 at 9:00 AM. Check back with the Sporting Times for updates on which area golfers qualify for the final round to be played at Bowling Green Country Club.
*photo provided by SW Golf*
