Clarksville area's top boys, girls high school golfers heading into 2018 season

Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle

The high school golf season begins Monday, but there are still a few weeks before Clarksville area schools compete.

Clarksville High will be playing host to the Tennessee Elite Invitational, which will feature seven girls teams and six boys from around the state, Aug. 2 at Swan Lake Golf Course.

The next week will begin match play between most schools in Montgomery County.

As the season approaches, here are five girls and five boys athletes to watch for the high school golf season.

GIRLS

Sadie Pan, Rossview, Jr.

Why: Pan has been a part of the Lady Hawks program for the past two years and was among the top golfers in the city last season with a 78 18-hole average.

McKinley Cunningham, Clarksville High, Jr.

Clarksville High's McKinley Cunningham takes a swing off the tee on the No. 18 hole during the Region 5, Large School tournament Monday at Swan Lake.

Why: Cunningham captured the Region 5 Large School Division title last season and was District 10 runner-up. She finished tied for 12th at state.

Kendall Maynard, CHS, So.

Why: Maynard was CHS' No. 2 golfer behind Cunningham with a 74 18-hole average. She finished fourth in district and third at region.

Clarksville High freshman Kendall Maynard puts on the 18th green during the final round of the TSSAA Girls Large School State Tournament Wednesday at WillowBrook Golf Course in Manchester.

Kallie Robertson, CHS, Sr.

Why: Robertson had an 18-hole average of 78 and will be a crucial part of the Lady Wildcats' success as they go after another state championship.

Madeline Skau, Northwest, Sr.

Why: Skau's experience and the return of her dad, Mitch, as the Lady Vikings' head coach, puts her in position to make a run in the postseason tournaments.

BOYS

Morgan Robinson, Houston Co., Sr.

Why: A two-time Leaf-Chronicle Boys Golfer of the Year, Robinson led the Irish to a district and region championship last year in the Small School division.

Houston County's Morgan Robinson competes in a golf tournament earlier this fall. Robinson finished fourth overall at state competition for the Small School division and has been named The Leaf-Chronicle All Area Boys Golfer of the Year for the second straight time.

Patton Samuels, Clarksville Academy, Fr.

Why: Competed at the varsity level as an eighth-grader last year and fnished third overall in the district tournament and second in region. He finished sixth at state.

Aiden Baker, CHS, So.

Why: Baker had an 18-hole average of 76 and missed the state tournament by only three strokes at region. He finished fourth overall in the district tournament.

Dylan Cottrell, Rossview, Jr.

Why: Cottrell finished third in the district tournament and was among the most consistent 9-hole golfers in the city.

Billy Atkins, Stewart Co., Sr.

Why: Atkins took third in the district tournament and was region runner-up earning a trip to the Small School state tournament where he finished 12th.

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.