Cornersville freshman Annabelle Mulliniks earned an at-large spot in the region tournament and a berth in the Division 1 Small Class Girls' State Golf Championships at Willow Brook Golf Club in Manchester last week where she turned in a solid performance to finish in a tie for 19th place.

Mulliniks shot 88 in Tuesday’s opening round and followed with a 96 on Wednesday for a two-day total of 184.

“We were very proud of a top 20 finish, and mostly impressed that Tuesday was her first time walking 18 holes in a competition, so the physical and mental grind did not impact her too much being as she shot 88 on day one,” Cornersville coach Peyton Newton said. “Day one was really neat, it kept hitting me that we had a freshman at the TSSAA State Championships, and when she shot 88 it made us realize quickly the future could be really good.”

“She only had a couple of holes that kept that 88 from being a low 80’s round. She kept her head clear and did as we’ve talked about all year, went shot by shot and hole by hole.”

Mulliniks’ total was 46-strokes behind defending champion Sophie Linder from Gordonsville, who shot 71-67-138 to win her second consecutive state title with a five shot margin over Summertown freshman Karlie Campbell.

Linder won by three shots over Karlie Campbell last season.

The Summertown Lady Eagles, who shot a two-player score of 289 for one-over par total, crushed the field once again, winning by 38 shots over Adamsville to claim their third straight state team title.

Karlie Campbell shot 72-71-143, junior Lanie Campbell shot 75-71-146, and senior Kaley Campbell carded an 80-75-155 two-day total.

“The good thing is we have played against the likes of Summertown several times this year and they are always at the top of the state when it comes to girls’ golf,” Newton said. “They won the state tournament as a team last year and again this year.”

“They have a freshman who finished second last year overall, and I believe ended up second this year overall in the state tournament so we have been watching her and seeing her play for a while. That gives you confidence knowing no matter how young, if you put the work and focus in, you can do anything.”

Reaching this level of competition brings an entire new perspective to a players’ preparation, mental toughness, and a confidence that your game is good enough to compete with the best and Mulliniks was up to the task.

“There were some nerves I am sure, but for a freshman she is very confident and was just ready to get there and play,” Newton said. “Her goal was to see how things are ran and take in the atmosphere. We knew it would be different than anything we had seen.”

“She played in the Sneds Tour this summer, so she had played against some really good golfers, but even those tournaments can’t come close to comparing to the atmosphere during this. So we wanted to have fun, learn this course, and shoot the best she could.”

Mulliniks first look at the 5,304-yard Willow Brook tract was in a practice round on Monday and she used the experience to hone her skills and get a feel for the layout she faced the following day.

“Monday’s practice round was her first time seeing the course,” Newton said. “It is a nice course and flows well, but there are some tight holes and a lot of sand. You really need to be precise on location of shots to set up that next shot.”

“She did well on that and learned where to be and not to be quickly, but once she figures out how to really locate all of those good or bad locations, whether in the fairways or greens, look out.”

There had to be some big nerves standing on the first tee on day one for Mulliniks, who played the first three holes at four-over par before settling in and making pars on three out of the next four holes, including a beautiful up and down on the par-5 seventh hole.

Mulliniks finished with a 44 on the front nine and matched that on back where she only had two pars, but tightened up her game with zero double bogies.

Day two was a bit rougher for Mulliniks as she carded a 96 that included seven double bogies, one triple, and fours pars.

“I know she wasn’t thrilled with her day two performance, but I think it will push her to work even harder than she already would have this off-season,” Newton said. “AB played well and really showed maturity during this tournament.”

“She just could not get that momentum rolling, no putts fell for her, she had a bad break or two from some trees, and the wind was really tough on the players. She did not play terrible, just couldn’t get those good breaks and no medium to long putts fell for her.”

Anyone who has taken up golf in a serious manner knows that one of the most important aspects of the game is the respect other golfers have for the journey that is filled with trials and tribulations and how they interact with and help their playing partners manage the ups and downs that inevitably happen during an 18-hole round.

Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States, like many presidents was an avid golfer and had this to say about the sportsmanship that is an integral part of the game.

“The pat on the back, the arm around the shoulder, the praise for what was done right and the sympathetic nod for what wasn't are as much a part of golf as life itself,” Ford said.

Mulliniks had that during the tournament from a district foe and companion in Cascade senior Chandler Noel, who was paired with Mulliniks both days and shared some invaluable lessons she has learned.

Noel made three state tournament appearances in four years, improving every time, finishing in 21st place as a freshman, 14th as a junior, and 13th in her final appearance this season.

“Chandler has been in the state tournament a couple of times before so her experience there showed and she was very helpful to Annabelle,” Newton said. “When AB seemed to get upset, Chandler would talk to her and encourage her. It was really cool to see. That girl needs some credit so here it is.”

The future is bright for the young freshman, who lives just off the par-5, third hole of the Ewell Butler Golf Corse inside the grounds of the Lewisburg Recreation Center.

“We think there were 10 freshmen in the field and she finished third out of those,” Newton said. “There were a lot of upper-classmen there and many had played in multiple state tournaments. We like where her game is at this point, but we also know how good it can get before next season. I can’t wait to see her and the rest of our team improve and have a great year next season.”

Asked what Mulliniks needs to work on to improve her game, Newton said, “AB’s short game is where she will really focus on and improve for next season, she hits the ball a good distance and is pretty solid off the tee.”

“A little work on consistency from there and with her irons will help, but if she can improve around and on the greens, I think we’ll see a five-to-six stroke difference in her average next season.”

Willow Brook Golf Club

Manchester, TN

Scorecard-Annabelle Mulliniks

Tuesday, September 29

Round 1

Par 4 5 3 4 4 4 5 3 4 36 4 3 5 4 4 4 5 3 4 36 72

5 7 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 44 5 4 6 5 6 5 5 3 5 44 88

Wednesday, September 30

Round 2

Par 4 5 3 4 4 4 5 3 4 36 4 3 5 4 4 4 5 3 4 36 72

6 6 5 6 6 5 5 3 6 48 5 6 6 5 5 6 7 4 4 48 96-184 two-day total