Katherine Holmes aware of Baylor golf tradition

photo Baylor's Katherine Holmes watches her shot at Bear Trace in this Sept. 03, 2014, photo.

Oliver Simonsen and Katherine Holmes know the tradition associated with Baylor golf and state championships.

They know the school wins them.

The boys won its last title two years ago when they were the sixth seed and Simonsen was a freshman. The girls re-claimed the Division II-AA title last year with Holmes on the roster.

Both are aiming to uphold the tradition.

"It's great to think about keeping up the legacy," Holmes said. "I'm excited because I think we have a great chance to bring home a trophy."

The Raiders, Lady Raiders, Girls Preparatory School and an Chase Burkhart of McCallie will start their chase for a championship today at Willowbrook Golf Course in Manchester.

"I remember a lot of excitement my freshman year," Simonsen said of the team championship in 2012. "It wasn't the same feeling last year."

The Lady Raiders had won 16 straight state championships -- enough to tie the national record -- in 2010 before falling to Ensworth in 2012. The Lady Raiders re-started their streak with a win last year.

"I don't think we have that much pressure this year," Holmes said. "Especially if we perform well, then we won't have a lot of pressure."

The Lady Raiders will be joined in the state competition by the team from the Girls Preparatory School which has been improving for several seasons. GPS placed fourth last year with a team score of 360 with Emily Blake shooting a 173 and Mary Melissa Manuel firing a 187.

Their scores should be different this year, coach Rob Riddle said.

"They both had a day where they didn't play as well as they wanted last year," said Riddle while watching his team play a practice round on Sunday. "I think they're ready. They've prepared for it."

Baylor won by 11 shots last year and Holmes placed fourth with a 152. The Bruisers were well off the pace last year, but Baylor coach Gary Partrick isn't pushing them aside. He said they could be a dark-horse.

"I think the girls learned a lot from playing in state last year," Riddle said. "They learned to be more patient and not to be a hero, but to hang in there and compete.

"We want to compete and start each hole knowing that you're even-par on that hole."

Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6484. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.

Upcoming Events