GIRLS GOLF: Claremore’s Merriman finishes in top 25 at 5A state championship
Kate Merriman didn’t let rainy skies wash away her resolve.
The Claremore junior battled through a challenging 18-hole round to finish in the top third of the field Monday at the OSSAA Class 5A Girls State Championship at Lincoln Park Golf Course in Oklahoma City. Merriman carded a 91 — good for 25th place out of 72 golfers — before the second round was washed out by rain Tuesday, shortening the tournament to just one round.
The weather threw a wrench into the format, but Merriman's steady hand helped her post a respectable 19-over-par finish, highlighted by three pars on the front nine and another three on the back. Her round included a consistent mix of bogeys and double bogeys, avoiding any disastrous holes
Fellow Zebra junior Ava Pettus shot a 106 to finish 55th. Pettus endured a tough stretch of double bogeys through the middle holes but capped her round on a high note with a par on the 18th.
Duncan’s Lily Thomas claimed the individual state title with a 75, leading the Lady Demons to a team championship as well with a combined 333 — six strokes ahead of the next closest team.
Although Claremore did not factor into the team standings, Merriman’s performance solidified her as one of the top young golfers in the state, providing optimism for the program’s future as the Lady Zebras look to build off this state appearance.
