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PCA girls dominate TSSAA Golf Championships





Providence Christian Academy’s Caroline Pardue and Isabell Johnson (center) teamed up to win the TSSAA Golf Championships on Friday. Pardue, second from left, was also low medalist. Also shown are head coach Philip Pettitt, right, and Kerry Hammonds, left. SUBMITTED

Providence Christian Academy’s Caroline Pardue and Isabell Johnson (center) teamed up to win the TSSAA Golf Championships on Friday. Pardue, second from left, was also low medalist. Also shown are head coach Philip Pettitt, right, and Kerry Hammonds, left. SUBMITTED

Providence Christian’s girls ran away with the TSSAA State Golf Championships in Sevierville on Friday, defeating Trinity Christian by 18 strokes for their first-ever team state title.

PCA shot a two-day total 10-over par to defeat Trinity Christian, which shot 28 over. The Lions finished third in last year’s state tournament.

“It was the same crew as last year. We finished third without experience and I really didn’t think we had a chance,” PCA coach Philip Pettitt said of 2020’s tournament. “I knew coming into this year they definitely had a chance, and that was our goal. We won the district, we won the region and I told them we were the team to beat and just go out and be yourselves. You are the team to beat.

“I could not be more proud of them. They have worked so hard. Most importantly, they are both great young adults on and off the course.”

Individually, sophomore Caroline Pardue won low-medalist honors with a birdie on the seventh playoff hole. Pardue and USJ’s Claire Henson finished the first 36 holes tied at 3-over par.

“Last year was obviously a great experience and the first time PCA girls went to state for golf,” Pardue said. “It was super fun to compete. I feel we’ve grown a lot as a team, and hopefully we’ve got more years to come.”

Pardue missed a four-foot putt on the sixth playoff hole, but her approach landed within two feet on the seventh and she tapped it in for birdie and the low-medalist win.

“I have not been putting my best,” she said. “I knew I had to do something to get ahead. I had some tough breaks, but I stuck to my game plan. Other than that I made a bunch of pars.”

Sophomore Isabella Johnson finished in fifth place individually with rounds of 75 and 72.

“It’s really great and I’m proud of our team,” Johnson said. “I hope it won’t be the last one of our career. I definitely felt a lot younger last year playing against juniors and seniors. I felt like we knew what we were getting into this year.”

Added Pettitt: “Izzy played awesome. She played a wonderful tournament. She really pushes Caroline and is extremely competitive. She can come back next year and have expectations of winning it herself.”

Rockvale’s boys finished the TSSAA Golf State Championships on Tuesday with a team score of 657, shooting 332 in round two on Tuesday after a 325 on Monday.

Aidan Sinclair shot 78 in round two, as did Conner Rivers. Hayden Rohling had an 82 and Nathan Pierce shots 82.

Individually, Oakland’s Jake Garland wrapped up his prep career with a 75 to go with a 72 on Monday to finish tied for 18th.

Blackman’s Lofton McRee shot 77 for a two-day total 157 and MTCS’ Cason Hill shot back-to-back 81s for a 162. Siegel’s Jessica Hoeft shot 83 after a 78 on Monday for a 161 total. Central Magnet’s Rachel Chan shot 85 after an 80 for a 165 total.

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