Kayla Meredith Makes All Region Team, Going To State

ECHS senior Kayla Meredith accepts her All Region 4 Team plaque from a tournament official.

Edmonson Voice Sports
photos courtesy of ECHS Golf
Even though it was dreary rainy day, ECHS Senior Lady Cat Golfer Kayla Meredith was still excited as she traveled to Barren River State Park Golf Course to compete in the 4th Region Golf Tournament on Tuesday, September 29, 2015.
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The rain fell throughout most of the day, but Kayla was equipped with raingear and started the day with three straight pars. Soggy conditions became an issue, helping add a double bogey and bogey on her score card. A few more would also be had before the first nine holes were over, but Meredith finished the front nine with solid play with a score of 41, a 6-over par.

Kayla continued to not only battle the weather, but also her competitors thru the remaining holes.   Kayla and the other ladies she was grouped with were the only remaining group on the course. Little did they know, they were playing for the final two spots to advance to the state tournament.

Based on the scores already in, Kayla needed a bogey or less for her round of 82. If Greenwood's representative parred, she would be at 79, and Glasgow's player needed at least double bogey to beat the girls already in the clubhouse.  

Kayla found the green with her third shot and was looking at a 20 foot putt downhill for par.  Greenwood made her par to finish and qualify while Glasgow bogeyed, also qualifying.  Kayla's putt slowly rolled towards the hole, stopped 4 inches short, and she tapped in for bogey. All while not even realizing that she had just qualified for the state.  

Kayla Meredith was named All Region 4 Team, a top eight finisher, and a top 4 finisher, which qualified her for the KHSAA State competition.

“State has always been a dream of mine, but I never thought that I would finally get the opportunity to follow it," she said. "The rain made everything extremely difficult, but everyone had the same conditions so there was no true way to have an advantage, which made it fair for everyone. “

Kayla celebrates with an emotional hug from her grandmother, Mrs. Dorothy James.

​Kayla will now play in a practice round on Thursday October 8 and have a mandatory player and coaches meeting on that day.  Then on Friday, she will compete in the opening round.  To qualify for the next day the top 11 teams and top 20 individuals not on the 11 teams will continue the next day. 

“I knew Kayla’s game had improved and knew deep-down she could qualify, but you still have to play the course," said Coach Granville Meredith. "Nothing is a sure thing. I couldn’t be more proud of Kayla. She's worked hard and has given up a lot of Saturdays to work on her game when she could have been doing other things."

Coach Meredith also recognized ECHS Athletics for their support over the past 6 years, as well as Adam Gary for golf lessons. “I also want to thank everyone who has support Kayla via text, Twitter, Facebook, or in person," he said. 
 
“It was so touching to see everyone following up and checking in to see how I was doing," Kayla added. "Once I qualified, it brought tears to my eyes...it's just how happy I was, and how happy everyone was for me.” 

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