Reigning state champions open 2021 season with a win

Lady Marshals take the win Friday in the Murray Invitational to open the 2021 high school golf season. Pictured (L-R) Elsie Riley, Katie Roberts, Megan Hertter, Savannah Howell and Cecelia Ray.

The 2020 KHSAA State Champions began their quest for a fifth consecutive First Region title and chance at back-to-back state titles with a win at Friday’s first tournament of the 2021 season at the Murray Invitational. The Lady Marshals won by 70 strokes (321) over second place Murray (391) with UHA taking third (417).

Marshall County’s Megan Hertter won medalist honors and led the Lady Marshals with a 4-over 77 on the Murray Country Club par 73 course from the red tees. Graves County’s Ellie West claimed second at 78, Marshall’s Savannah Howell placed third with a round of 79 and first-year Lady Marshal Cecelia Ray tied for fourth with St. Mary’s Ellie Roof with rounds of 82.

Scoring for the Lady Marshals following Hertter, Howell and Ray – Elsie Riley shot 83 and Katie Roberts finished with 84.

The Lady Marshals were without Kentucky’s 2020 Ms. Golf, Trinity Beth, who was finishing up her final round in Louisville in the Girls Junior PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. The in-coming eighth grader finished tied for 23rd at +3 (75-71-75-74=295) among the nations top junior golfers. Savannah Howell played the first two days at Valhalla (83-79=162) but missed the cut for the final two days of the tournament.

Howell and Hertter, two veteran seniors began their final season for the Lady Marshals. Howell has committed to continue her golf career at Western Kentucky University and Hertter recently announced her commitment to play next year for Florida Southern in Lakeland, Fla.

Aaron Beth begins his third year as head coach of the Lady Marshals.

Up next is the Lady Gator Invitational on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Bowling Green Country Club.

Megan Hertter, watching her tee shot on the 4th hole at Murray Country Club, was individual medalist with a round of 77.
Savannah Howell on hole #1 follows her first tee shot of the 2021 girls high school golf season.
Seventh grader Cecelia Ray, chipping onto the third green, finished in a tie for fourth in her first-ever round as a member of the high school team.