The Union County Lady Patriots posted an unblemished 7-0 Tri-Eastern Conference  season record last week at Highland Lake Golf Course by edging the Northeastern Lady Knights in a dual meet. UC returned to Highland two days later to win the TEC Tournament Championship for the second straight year.

The Lady Patriots won the 18-hole tournament with 368 ahead of second place Northeastern at 371. This year the Lady Patriots won the TEC trophy without coach, Ryleigh Kennedy, who was a bridesmaid in the wedding of her best friend.

“It was very difficult not being at the tournament Saturday,” Kennedy said. “I sent all of the girls encouraging texts that morning and reminded them that every stroke counts and to play their hearts out.”

The Lady Pats took the messages to heart. They not only won the TEC tournament but did it with three Lady Patriots making the Top-10 individual scores. Peityn Gillman was medalist with 80, Emma Kassens’ 85 stood third and Mady McClure’s 90 was seventh in the Top-10. McClure and Hannah Coffman (113) also set their personal best scores.    

Lady Patriots and their parents kept Kennedy informed throughout the day. 

Fortunately, Kennedy’s father, Mike Waltz, is an assistant coach and spent the day coaching the TEC champions.

 “I’m very lucky to have a great assistant coach,” Kennedy said. “He knows the girls well and knows how to help each of them make small adjustments to improve their game.”

Once the final scores were posted, the 2022 TEC Champions pulled out their phones to go Face Time with their coach to share the good news.

“The last update I got made it seem like NE was going to win,” Kennedy recalled. “And then I got a FaceTime call from the girls sharing the great news!”

“Saturday was a great day and I am really looking forward to the sectional,” Kennedy said. 

The Lady Patriots take on Connersville and Franklin County in a 3-way meet this week and are at Blue River Valley Thursday, Sept. 15.

The IHSAA Girls Golf Sectional is Monday, Sept. 19 at Liberty Country Club.
  
2022 Tri-Eastern Conference Tournament team placings: UNION COUNTY 368, Northeastern 371, Centerville 373, Winchester 400, Hagerstown 447, Lincoln 496, Knightstown. Tri and Union City – Incomplete teams.
 
2022 Tri-Eastern Conference Girls Golf top 10 individuals: Peityn Gillman (UC) 80, Wissler (NE) 84, Emma Kassens (UC) 85, Lacey (NE) 86, Biava (Ce) 88, Goodwin (Ce) 89, Mady McClure (UC) 90, Cline (NE) 91, Staton (Ce) 92, Cole (W) 94.

Union County (368) Kassens 43-42-85, Gillman 37-43-80, McClure 42-48-90, Coffman 56-57-113.
Northeastern (371) Wissler 84, Cline 91, Lacy 86, Beatty 128, Bales 110.
Centerville (373) Goodwin 89, Biava 88, Staton 92, Isas 114, Hemerling 104.
Winchester (400) Lawrence 98, Rose 108, Barker 115, Cole 94.
Hagerstown (447) Smith 103, Harris 102, Hall 125, Hilbert 128, Walker 117.
Lincoln (496) Pitcock 115, Davis 126, Rains 136, Griffey 126, Robinson 129.
Knightstown Incomplete team Dupke 123.
Tri High - Incomplete team. Knepley 108.
Union City - Incomplete team. Black 105, Reichard 107.

Three birdies, seven pars = win at NE & 7-0 TEC record

Union County edged the Northeastern Lady Knights, 185-186 at Highland Golf Course earlier this week to boost the Lady Pats to a 10-1 overall record to go with an   unblemished 7-0 Tri-Eastern record. 

The Lady Patriots were led by  Gillman’s par 36 and McClure’s 43. All totaled, Union County finished with 3 birdies, 7 pars and 13 bogies.

Union County 185, Northeastern 186
  Union County (185) Emma Kassens 47, Peityn Gillman 36, Mady McClure 43, Hannah Coffman 59.

Northeastern (186) Baylee Wissler 47, Zoe Cline 48, Lauren Lacey 45, Ava Bales 46, Ragen Dupke 62.