Baylor School golf coach Gary Partrick watched one of the girls’ groups play in the City Prep Championship last year and clairvoyantly stated that that he and the other spectators could be looking at the three state team champions.
He was right.
The second-year coach made no such prediction during the 2010 City Prep.
But they did it again. Baylor, Signal Mountain and Soddy-Daisy completed a Scenic City sweep of the three TSSAA state championship this year at Willowbrook Golf Club in Manchester.
“I think girls’ golf in Chattanooga is the strongest it’s ever been as far as team play is concerned,” said Danny Tribble Jr., who has been involved with junior golf for four decades. “A lot of it has to do with the fact there are more opportunities for juniors to lean the game, and programs around Chattanooga are very good.”
No set of schools from other Tennessee metropolitan areas has combined to win three golf state championships in the same year – let alone repeat the feat.
“Certain pockets in the state embrace different sports, and golf has a long, rich tradition in Chattanooga,” said Partrick, whose program tied a national record with its 16th consecutive state title. “I think the Betty Probascos of the world have passed along their commitment, and all of the clubs in town aid these girls and help them, and as a result they represent us well at state.”
Soddy-Daisy accomplished the feat with Haley Cothran and Jessica Cathey in the lineup both years. They expected to repeat and did so despite not playing as well late this season when compared to last year.
Baylor and Signal Mountain repeated as champions despite losing their top players to graduation. Baylor had Sofia Hoglund earn a full ride to New Mexico, and former Lady Eagle Jordan Britt now plays for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“I felt that it was a huge deal for Haley [Davidson] and Sarah [Dolmovich] because all they heard was that if they didn’t have Jordan, they couldn’t win,” Signal Mountain coach Wes Moore said. “Every state champion in every sport has a stud, and if you lose that athlete, of course you’re supposed to be down.
“But Haley and Sarah took that personal.”
Players from all three championship teams participated to some degree in the Chattanooga District Golf Association junior tour. Clubs within the Chattanooga area have their own clinics and junior tournaments. Plus, there are two AJGA tournaments within driving distance, which have helped the girls to grow their game.
“We’re fortunate to have some great kids come through,” CDGA junior tour director Jeff Craig said. “I don’t claim their results. And I don’t know if girls have more opportunities to play here and compete here, but it’s impressive to see three of our teams win it two years in a row.”
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/UchSports.