Barlow & Wright qualify for state golf tournament

By: Sam McClanahan 

  The Pendleton County Ladycats Golf team went to the semi-state golf round at the Willows course in Kenton County with one goal in mind: Advance to continue their season and compete at the state tournament in Bowling Green.

  For the senior duo of Reese Barlow and Katie Wright, that would be exactly what they accomplished as the pair fired their personal best scores at the course to move onto the final event of the golf season. Barlow shot a round of 79 to finish sixth overall while Wright turned in an 84 to come in 12th. Fellow Ladycat freshman Taylor Bruener also competed in the September 26 event and unfortunately did not qualify, ending her outstanding season. She became the first freshman since Cay Harper to advance this far three years ago.

 This will mark the second time both Barlow and Wright will be making the trip to represent their program at the state tournament and the girls are determined to end their varsity careers on a high note.

 "I am excited to get to go to Bowling Green this year! Reese and I have worked so hard this season and during the off season to get where we are now and it is showing by the way we are playing," Wright said. "It's going to be a great experience and I'm so excited, especially since it's my senior year! Rob Bertram has been such an amazing coach and has helped me so much to get where I am," she added.

 As for Barlow, she reflected on her sixth place finish while looking ahead to her next challenge.

 "The Willows definitely played difficult considering the lack of rain but also came to my advantage at times with the roll out. The hard ground made it difficult for me to hit greens but my short game allowed me to play okay in this condition," she explained. "I was definitely prepared for this given our practice round that Friday before, figuring out my misses and advantage spots. It was a slow day with playing in a foursome and ending with around a six hour round, but I still had a blast! It ended up being super exciting, coming into the last hole, Katie, Taylor, Coach, my family and a bunch of others watching. It was a little nerve racking, I missed two approach shots, and then ended up getting up and down for par to keep my score under 80. Finishing with a 79, my personal best at Willows, going into the clubhouse I felt confident about my scoreß, and ended as 6th individual out of 78 girls. I feel like top ten in a tournament that big was a huge accomplishment. I'm excited to be making my second trip to Bowling Green and feel good about holding my own in competitive field," Barlow added.

 Head coach Rob Bertram continues to be ecstatic and confident for his girls. He says the work they've put in through the years has prepared them for the toughest scenarios they can face on any course. And he's pushing the duo to accomplish another feat in Bowling Green.

 "I have never felt so confident going into the first round of state before, and I have been with five different players over the years. The girls knew how much faith I had in them and they were ready. Reese and Katie know how to get around the golf course and understand that it's a game of making the least amount of mistakes. I'm also so proud of the season Taylor had. To break 100 as a freshman at Houston Oaks is a great accomplishment. She'll take what she's learned in the years to come and join the other Ladycats greats."