Golfer of the year
Brendie RockholtBrendie Rockholt
Brendie Rockholt played a variety of sports through Valley Point Middle School. A few friends talked her into playing golf.
Then she started out-driving boys on the range.
"She was just getting the hang of the game and he competition and tournaments as a freshman," Dalton coach Nancy Halsworth said. "But you could tell back then that she was going to be good."
Rockholt tore his anterior cruciate ligament in her knee while paying church-league basketball in her junior year. Doctors would not let her play golf for months. She eased back into the game by chipping and putting.
"Being limited from golf last year helped her realize her passion for golf," Halsworth said. "Whether she becomes a famous golfer or coach, her career will be in the golf industry in some form or fashion."
Rockholt won the Georgia Class-AAA state championship with a 6-over 78 at Applewood Golf Course outside Augusta. She has signed to play at Division II Armstrong Atlantic State.
"She's done a lot for the future of women's golf at Dalton without even realizing it," Halsworth said. "She's a role model."
Coach of the year
Coach Rodney MitchellRodney Mitchell
Rodney Mitchell had been coaching the Signal Mountain junior varsity golf teams when he was asked to leads the varsity squads last summer.
He accepted knowing full well that expectations were high considering the Lady Eagles were two-time defending state champions and had three seniors on the team.
"We knew we'd have a shot at state once again," Mitchell said. "The team Wes [Moore] left me with was a good team."
They accomplished the mission in his first year as the head coach. Signal Mountain won the Class A/AA championship with a two-day total of 322 and won by five strokes.
"l'lI remember the two days at state and watching them play the last holes of their careers," Mitchell said. "Everybody was on the 18th hole at Willowbrook watching them.
"Then we all went out to dinner and a good celebration."
Sarah DolmovichSarah Dolmovic
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN
Senior
She recovered from knee surgery to lead the Lady Eagles to their third straight state title.
Avery GeorgeAvery George
WALKER VALLEY
Senior
The future Middle Tennessee State golfer placed fourth in the Tennessee Class AAA championship.
Blakesly WarrenBlakesly Warren
BAYLOR
Sophomore
She tied for second in Tennessee's Divisiion II-AA state championship with scores of 76-81.
Lauren JohnsonLauren Johnson
BAYLOR
Junior
She worked he way into the lineup and then won Tennessee's Division II East/Middle Regional title.
Second Team
JJessica Cathey
SODDY-DAISY
Senior
Megan Collins
SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD
Junior
Haley Davidson
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN
Junior
Lydia Triplett
POLK COUNTY
Junior
Third Team
Madison Balthrop
BOYD-BUCHANAN
Freshman
Katie Bishop
WALKER VALLEY
Sophomore
Samantha Griffith
OOLTEWAH
Sophomore
Kaitlyn Smith
CALHOUN
Sophomore