Even if you don’t have your best stuff, it’s important not to play your way out of a golf tournament.
And while Farragut’s Lexanne Halama and Lance Simpson didn’t set WillowBrook ablaze with birdies Tuesday at the TSSAA Division I Large Class state tournament, they’re both very much still in the hunt for individual state titles.
Meanwhile, Halama and the Lady Admirals aren’t out of the discussion, either, for a team title — which would be their first since 2006.
Farragut’s Lexanne Halama bangs a drive down the fairway during the second day of the 2nd Annual 5Star Preps Masters in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. (Photo by Danny Parker)
But after Day 1 of the state tournament in Manchester, Tenn., the girls’ teams from Tennessee High and Station Camp sit atop the leaderboard at 4-over 148. Farragut is fourth at 152.
Halama, the 2019 5Star Preps Masters champion, started 3 over after six holes but regained form and finished with a 2-over 74, good enough for a tie for fourth heading into tomorrow’s final round. She’s only three shots behind the individual leader, Lynn Lim of Station Camp.
Aynsleigh Martin‘s 78 helped comprise Farragut’s 152 mark and set her in 15th place. Lindsay Ott, who shot 82 (T20), did card a hole-in-one at the par-3 17th hole to help ease the frustration of a tough round.
Maryville’s Ainsley Simms (79, T16) and Grainger’s Neely Yates (85, 23rd) were the only other local players in the top 25 after the first round.
Congratulations to @ott_lindsay on her Hole In One on #17 at the state championship today!!@WillowbrookGS @tssaa @prepxtra @5StarPreps @farragutpress1 pic.twitter.com/st8294nbAn
— Farragut Golf ⛳️ (@FarragutGolf) October 15, 2019
On the boys’ side, Simpson is looking to repeat as individual state champion. The Tennessee Vols commitment got off to a slow start on Tuesday, shooting 2-over 38 on his outward nine holes. However, he kick-started a comeback by going birdie-eagle at Nos. 13 and 14. He added a birdie at the last to shoot 72.
Simpson, a junior, is tied for sixth on the individual leaderboard and sits four shots back of Volunteer’s John Wes Lovelace. However, the Farragut boys’ team will need a significant comeback Wednesday. Though they are in third place, their 32-over 320 team total has them 19 shots back of co-leaders Science Hill and Franklin.
The Admirals other scores Tuesday were: Aaron Rinehart 81, Connor Price 87 and Hayden Ott 80.
Lenoir City’s Andrew Conner (76) and McMinn County’s Kobe Watson (77) are tied for 16th and 20th, respectively. Oak Ridge’s John Estep (78) and West’s Carson Kammann (78) are tied for 23rd.