“The second hole really threw me off,” Blackburn said after advancing to the state tournament again. “It messed me up early and I really had to scramble for the rest of the round.”
Blackburn was pretty dead on the rest of the round, finishing the last seven holes of the front nine 1-over before shooting even par on the back nine to finish with a 41-36-77 and tie for second overall.
The top three teams and top three individuals not on a qualifying team advanced to the state tournament Oct. 14-15 at Ohio State University.
Blackburn didn’t take long to rectify the second-hole issues, crushing her drive off the third tee down the middle to birdie the hole.
“I had a lot more confidence after that,” Blackburn said. “When I made the turn and saw I was in second with a 41, I thought I had a chance. Other people struggled too, and it kind of worked out to my favor.”
The hardest part for Blackburn was being one of the first ones in and watching as scores were posted throughout the afternoon.
“It really makes you nervous because you can’t control anything,” Blackburn said. “When more scores came in, I started figuring my chances and it lifted a lot off my shoulders.”
Falcons eighth: The season came to an end for Fenwick's girls team, which finished eighth with a 400 total.
No. 2 golfer Julia Vogelsang led the Falcons with a 45-49—94, two strokes better than No. 1 Meghan Utterdyke.
Team Standings
Top Three Advance To State
1. Versailles 366; 2. Carroll 373; 3. Chaminade Julienne 373; 4. Alter 380; 5. Fort Loramie 388; 6. Kenton Ridge 390; 7. Bellefontaine 398; 8. Fenwick 400; 9. Arcanum 406; 10. McNicholas 412; 11. Wyoming 420; 12. Clinton-Massie 424
Individual State Qualifiers
Sarah Willis, Eaton, 40-34—74; Sammi Blackburn, Monroe, 41-36—77; Makenna Jones, National Trail, 36-41—77
Area Team
Fenwick: Julia Vogelsang 45-49—94; Meghan Utterdyke 47-49—96; Erika Glover 49-56—105; Allie Transgenstein 52-53—105; Jessica Finley 52-54—106
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