December 13, 2024

TATUM GIRLS GOLF TEAM TO STATE! | Eagles making return state trip; Sabine finishes fifth

Tatum's girls golfers are headed to the UIL Class 3A State Golf Tournament for a second straight season. From left: coach Jeremy Kubiak, Hannah Marcott, Ava Quick, Elyana Hill, Taydem Barker, and Kaysen Foster. (Photo courtesy of TATUM HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS)
Tatum’s girls golfers are headed to the UIL Class 3A State Golf Tournament for a second straight season. From left: coach Jeremy Kubiak, Hannah Marcott, Ava Quick, Elyana Hill, Taydem Barker, and Kaysen Foster. (Photo courtesy of TATUM HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS)

This state tournament thing is becoming a habit for the Tatum High School girls golf team.

Tatum girls golfers went to Oak Hurst Golf Course in Bullard to compete in the regional tournament midweek on a mission. That mission was to do whatever it took to get back to the University Interscholastic League Class 3A State Golf Tournament, being played this year at ShadowGlen Golf Club on May 6-7.

The mission was completed.

Now, they didn’t win the regional tournament title – that went to Gunter, and Callisburg took second. But Tatum won third, and with the top three teams going to state, the ticket was punched.

Tatum is making a return trip to the big stage.

First-year coach Jeremy Kubiak explained that his team’s performance on Wednesday, the tournament’s first day, was the key.

“After day one,” Kubiak said, “Gunter was first with a 374, Callisburg had a 398, and we had a 399, so we were in third. Sabine was fourth, but they had a 434.

“Our girls played so well the first day. It took so much pressure off, not having to scramble to make key shots on day two. And I honestly think that’s what sealed it for us.”

Gunter won the tournament’s team title with a smoking-hot 751; Callisburg was second, but 14 shots back (765). Tatum was third (807), Troup fourth (853, first alternate), and Sabine, fifth (862, second alternate).

Sabine's girls golfers (from left) Lillian Odle, Emily McBride, Dakota Wick, Allyssa Crutcher and Avery Rutland (with coach Phillip Anderson) finished fourth at regionals at Oak Hurst Golf Course in Bullard. (Photo courtesy of SABINE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS)
Sabine’s girls golfers (from left) Lillian Odle, Emily McBride, Dakota Wick, Allyssa Crutcher and Avery Rutland (with coach Phillip Anderson) finished fourth at regionals at Oak Hurst Golf Course in Bullard. (Photo courtesy of SABINE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS)

Also in the tournament were Ponder, Bells, Atlanta, Hughes Springs, Prairiland, Redwater, Commerce, Mineola, and Winnsboro – that was the completed order of finish.

For Tatum, it’s a strong lineup, the three-time defending district champions.

Senior Hannah Marcott is the lynchpin. Marcott returns from the team that went to the state tournament a year ago and has gone to regionals all of her high school career. She shot an 89 on day one at Oak Hurst at regionals, Tatum’s top scorer, and a 95 on day two – she finished sixth overall at the tournament, a 184 over the two-day event. “She never fails to meet expectations,” Kubiak said.

Junior Ava Quick shot a 102 on day one and a 101 on day two, a two-day 203. “She had a great two days, no surprise,” Kubiak said.

Elyana Hill, a freshman, shot a 104 on day one, and a 103 on day two. “We’ve been impressed with her,” Kubiak said. “She’s picked things up very quickly.”

Sophomore Kaysen Foster is a multi-sport athlete that’s a different kind of story.

“Kaysen,” Kubiak said, with a laugh, “Kaysen didn’t own a set of golf clubs until the third week of January, of this year,” he explained. “She’s just an all-around good athlete. One of our coaches came to me and told me Kaysen wanted to try her hand at golf. I told them, ‘let’s see what she’s got,’ and here we are. She’s doing great.”

Foster went for a 104 on the first day for the Eagles, and a 109 on day two, a two-day 213.

And another sophomore, Taydem Barker, shot a 118 on the first day and a 121 on day two. “Taydem has battled all year for us,” Kubiak said. “And she has came through with some big shots in district for us and helped us win the district.”

Last year in Austin…

“They were 10th out of 12 teams last year,” Kubiak said. “They graduated two off of that team, and they’re looking to do better this time.”

The 3A state tournament was relocated due to the original tournament location having unplayable greens. The new destination is ShadowGlen – here’s more about it: Home – ShadowGlen Golf Club.

The girls, who call Carthage Country Club (Carthage Country Club | RV Park, Golf Course, Pool – Carthage, TX) their home course, will likely go down for the tournament a day early, probably on May 5, Kubiak said, and get in a practice round.

The state tournament will have three teams from each region, so four teams, plus the top 12 individuals that didn’t qualify on a team. “Some great, great young golfers,” Kubiak noted.

For Sabine, Allyssa Crutcher had the low score, 101 on day one and 91 on day two, a two-day 192, and is the first alternate. Avery Rutland had a two-day 209 (105-104). Dakota Wick had a 249 (125-124). Lillian Odle had a 212 (103-109). And Emily McBride had a 273 (137-136). Sabine finished with an 862.

Sabine golf is coached by Phillip Anderson.

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