Local golf star Hannah Powell shined in a field of around 30 top-talented young ladies from across the area.
Powell is a member of the WCHS Lady Pioneer golf team and she not only shined, but she walked away with the title of champion. She won the 91st annual Tennessean - Metro Parks Schooldays Golf Tournament. The tournament was held June 2-4 at McCabe Golf Course located in West Tennessee in the Sylvan Park area.
Powell was reportedly full of nerves before the match as she faced off with a three-time match qualifier and reigning champion, Nicole Page.
Powell got off to a shaky start when she bogeyed the first hole. But when she settled into a rhythm, she let her play do the talking. She held a two-shot advantage over her opponent as the duo made the turn and headed into the back nine. On the ninth hole, Powell started to think, “Maybe I could actually win this.”
She dropped in a total of six birdies and increased her lead to five with five holes to play. Page, who did not make it any easier, won hole 14 and 15 to keep herself in contention for the title.
On the 16th hole she sank a par putt to secure the championship. Powell told the Southern Standard, “This is the biggest event I have won and it was very exciting to win in a group of so many great golfers.”
She played 18 holes the first day, 36 holes the second day, and 18 more holes in the championship round. Page said, “She was dropping everything and she played a great round.”
You will be able to see and hear more about Powell this fall when the Lady Pioneers get back into full swing on the links and hopefully bring a championship to Warren County.
Powell’s older brother Nicholas Powell, a recent graduate and former member of the Pioneer golf team, managed to play his way into the boys finals by defeating Clarksville’s Eric Jinnette 3 and 2 in the semifinals.
“When you’re up against somebody who is playing like that, it’s kind of tough either way,” said Nicholas Powell, a three-time match play qualifier. “I was hitting good shots but just missed a couple putts here and there.”