3 for 3: Murray County’s Owens wins another area title

Published 5:00 pm Monday, April 30, 2018

CALHOUN — From the first drive to the final putt, whenever a golfer is on the course, one of his or her goals in consistency.

In Tori Owens’ first three years golfing for Murray County High School, consistency has been a big part of the junior’s game.

Freshman year: Area champion.

Sophomore year: Area champion.

And now, junior year: Area champion.

Owens’ latest triumph came Monday at the Area 4-3A tournament at Calhoun Elks Lodge & Golf Club. She was six shots better than anyone else in the field firing a 1-under-par 70 to give her a third area championship in three tries. With the win, she heads to the state tournament later this month.

Owens said to win another first-place medal, she had to overcome some struggles with the way she was hitting the ball.

“I’m very glad about it. I was very relieved when I came out there and played very hard even though I’ve been having a lot of missed days,” she said. “I came out here on Wednesday and I was just chucking the ball around. I could’ve thrown it better than hitting it. I came back and stronger today I guess you can say. I got it together.”

Even in the hours leading up to her tee time she said her hitting was still a bit off, but fortunately it came around at the right time.

“We went outside this morning because there’s not really a range out here,” she said. “We went out here on the golf course this morning and hit a few just to get warmed up and I was still missing it. I came out there today and I just got it together. It was all about timing and everything.”

Key to her round was the way she was able to putt. One more than one occasion sinking a clutch putt was followed by an exuberant fist pump.

“Putting especially was very important today,” she said. “Putting always has to carry you. That, and no bad misses. You couldn’t miss the ball in a bad spot to put yourself in a bad position.”

In the 12-team area, the top five teams plus the top two individuals not on qualifying teams advanced to the state tournament.

Joining Owens at state is the North Murray High School team. The Lady Mountaineers return all three of their golfers that took third place at state a year ago. They finished third on Monday in the area tournament with a team score of 259.

Savanah Satterfield topped North Murray on Monday with an 80. She was backed by Shelby Satterfield with an 89 and Caroline Ridley with a 90. The Lady Mountaineers finished behind area champ Bremen (243) and tournament host Calhoun (257). Other teams qualifying for state were Westminster (270) and Pace Academy (298).

Coahulla Creek ended up outside the state qualifying spots totaling 352. Jenna Bagley had a team-best 107. Shae Bagley shot a 122 and Haley Marie had a 123.

Miranda Rich of Ringgold was the other individual qualifier, she tied for second-place overall with Alexis Golde of Pace Academy with a 76.

The Class 3A state tournament is a two-round event on May 21-22 at Cateechee Golf Club in Hartwell.

Owens had also been consistent her first two trips to state finishing second place both years. That’s one area where she hopes consistency ends.

“I’d like to win state, but it just has to click,” she said. “It has to just happen. I don’t know what’s going to happen at state this year, but I’m hoping to try to do better.”