Back-to-Back: May River girls golf dominates way to second straight championship

May River girls golf team won its second straight state championship in dominating fashion.

The Sharks shot a two-day total of 639 and won by 44 shots at the Class 4A event held at Crescent Pointe Golf Club in Bluffton.

The 44-stroke margin of victory is eight shots better than last year. May River followed up Monday’s opening-round 324 with a 315 on Tuesday.

“Winning ones is thrilling, winning twice is even more of an incredible experience to witness for the team. At the beginning of the season, we were not sure we could we could repeat after losing Syndey Bowes.,” May River coach Kelly Minasi said. “As the season progressed, and we monitored the scores from our opponents, our team scores began to get lower. The top three just continued to steadily drop. Our No. 4, Hailey Aipperpach, really worked so hard during the season and was able to substantially reduce her scores.”

Minasi also thought being the host for the tournament helped the team and the way everyone pitched in to help put the tournament together.

“As we hosted, the players and their parents spent much time at the course, not just practicing but seeking sponsors, setting up the course and making swag bags and were just immersed in preparing to host and play in the event,” Minasi said. “Our culture of kindness and respect continued to prevail. I tell them that how they play will never disappoint me as I know how they have prepared. Their maturity, how they interact with others and the integrity of the game is essential to the entire experience and they rose to the occasion on every level.”

Kylie Bowes led three May River golfers on the all-state team, which includes the top-10 finishers plus ties in the event. Bowes shot a 147 to finish tied for second with North Myrtle Beach’s Cara Hiburn.

Myrtle Beach’s Maddison Messimer was the individual champion after shooting an even-par 142.

Other May River all-state golfers were Robbin Zetrouer (156) and Claire Green (162).

Hilton Head Island shot a 683 for a runner-up finish. It was the Seahawks first runner-up finish since 2010 when they were in Class 3A. The Seahawks’ Alexia Milbrandt (151) finished fourth and earned all-state honors.

Bluffton’s Anna LaPour finished 15th with a 166.

Team Scores: May River 639; Hilton Head Island 683; Catawba Ridge 688; Pickens 689; AC Flora 693; North Myrtle Beach 707; West Florence 717; Bluffton 755; Greenwood 770; South Aiken 773; Myrtle Beach 775; South Florence 780; Greenville 781; Aiken 781; Walhalla 797

All-State: Maddison Messimer, MB, 142; Kylie Bowes 147; Cara Hiburn, NMB, 147; Alexia Milbrandt, HHI, 151; Alla McGillivray, WF, 154; Robbin Zetrouer, MR, 156; Claire Lewis, Gwood 156; Hannah Palmer, SF, 156; Katherine Mann, CR, 158; Sarah Campbell Brown, ACF, 162; Claire Green, MR, 162.

This story was originally published October 27, 2021 at 5:45 AM.