By Greg James |  [email protected] 

The leaderboard at the Region 14 girls golf championships was filled with girls from Providence Hall High School.

“The seniors on this team have won (the region title) three of the last four years, Patriots’ girls golf coach Brett Armstrong said. “They are the winningest team in school history. Last year they only missed it by two strokes after the entire season.”

The team’s success carried over into the state tournament May 8 and 9 where it placed fourth overall. 

“Four years ago, we started this team with just enough girls to play,” Armstrong said. “Today, they finished a school-best fourth in the state tournament. Along the way, they have learned to love the game, developed incredible swings and built relationships that will last a lifetime.” 

Seniors Morgan McDougal and Brooklyn Armstrong led the charge by shooting a two-day combined total 176 and 178. Makayla Bennion shot a 205, Amelia Pederson and Sabrina Bentley shot a 206, Yaisha Corona shot a 221. The top four girls combined score of 756 was good enough for fourth place, only four shots behind Grand Country. Richfield captured the 3A state title, Morgan was second and Carbon rounded out the top five.

In addition to the region championship McDougal finished first overall as the region medalist. She placed seventh last season. Brooklyn Armstrong finished second, and Pederson was eighth in the final standings. 

At the state tournament, held a Round Valley Golf Course in Morgan, McDougal placed 11th and Brooklyn Armstrong was 12th overall.

The team won three of its six region tournaments. It captured the region title by 19 strokes over Carbon.

“A large majority of the girls had never touched a golf club three years ago,” Brett Armstrong said following last season’s run in the state tournament. “The biggest thing we have done is dedicate to practice. They have all come out on a regular basis. I know these girls have season golf passes and spend a lot of time in the summer golfing together.”

Many junior golfers have the opportunity to participate in a nationwide initiative to encourage youth golfing. Youth on Course provides youth access to affordable golf. There are eight participating courses in the Salt Lake Valley. They include Glenmore, River Oaks, Mulligans, Murray, Fore Lakes, McRiley, Nibley and Rose Park. As a YOC member golfers can enjoy golfing for as little as $5 a round.

YOC provides for more the discounted golf rounds. The program helps interested parties find internships at courses, paid caddie positions and college scholarships. 

“We encourage the girls to play throughout the summer,” Brett Armstrong said. “They play in tournaments and get some private instruction.”