High school girls golf: Led by medalist Kenadee Benson, Morgan captures 3A state championship

Whether it was the poise of being the only senior in contention, or trailing by enough strokes to think she was probably a long shot, Morgan’s Kenadee Benson put together a near-perfect round of golf during the final day of the 3A state tournament on Thursday.

While most golfers were posting higher scores on the second day of competition, Benson shot a season-low 74 to surge into a first-place tie, and then she rolled in an 8-footer for birdie on the first playoff hole to win 3A medalist.

She was immediately mobbed by teammates on the No. 9 green to celebrate her unlikely title.

“I was kind of in shock,” said Benson about the surreal moment. “I putted good today, but it was definitely more on the front nine that my putting was the best, not necessarily the back nine.

“But I made those putts a million times, so I knew I could do it if I put the right stroke on it.”

Benson shot a 79 on Wednesday’s opening round and sat in seventh place, five shots behind the leader. She trailed three of her own Morgan teammates, too.

In many ways, that helped her relax on a day when a lot of golfers were struggling to do so.

“I was just trying to stay positive. I was just trying to play well so that my team could win, and, you know, whatever happened individually would happen,” said Benson, whose team indeed won that team title as well.

So when Benson walked off the No. 18 green and learned she was in a first-place tie with three groups still to finish, she was in a bit of shock. To stay relaxed, she passed the time on the putting green in case a playoff was necessary.

When Richfield freshman Hailey Hair left a birdie putt above the hole on No. 18, it meant both golfers finished the tournament with 9-over 153s, necessitating a tiebreaker on the No. 9 hole.

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Benson won the coin flip and hit first, choosing her safest club — her hybrid — and driving it short left of the green on the short Par 4.

Hair went with driver, pushing her ball right of the green-side bunker. They both chipped to almost an identical spot eight feet behind the hole.

Hair, however, was slightly away and had to put first, missing the putt inches left and tapping in for par. She gave Benson the perfect read, and Benson then stepped up and drilled her winning put straight into the center of the cup.

“It helped me with speed and it helped me kind of see where it would break,” admitted Benson.

In many ways, Morgan coach Dennis Peterson said it was fitting to see Benson win after the leadership role she played on a team with underclassmen.

“She’s been our team captain and the leader of this team all year, and she does such a great job and her demeanor on the golf course is just exceptional all year,” Peterson said.

“She’s actually really hard to read just because of her levelness. Even ups and downs and stuff, you really don’t know until she’s done where she was. Absolutely special girl.”

Benson’s poise was the catalyst to Morgan winning its second team title in school history as well, with the Trojans shooting a 629 team score. Richfield finished runner-up with a 643, followed by Union in third with a 683.

In many ways, Morgan won the championship with its brilliant opening round 305. That gave it enough cushion to still win despite behind collectively 19 shots worse in the second round.

“It was a lot different day today than yesterday for us, but they grinded it out, and it’s been my top four girls pretty consistent all this year. Once in a while I’ll get one to break in, but they were all solid,” said Peterson.

Morgan sophomore Sophie DeMond and freshman Taya Snow tied four shots back of the leaders, giving Morgan three golfers in the top four.

Grantsville’s Lindsey Wangsgard finished fifth, followed by Juab’s Peyton Lynn in sixth and Morgan junior Ruby Wilding in seventh — giving Morgan four golfers in the top seven.

That will always be a recipe for success in a state tournament.

“I am so blessed as a coach to have this group of girls,” said Peterson.

Class 3A state tournament

At Stansbury Park Golf Course

Full leaderboard

Final Team scores

1. Morgan, 629
2. Richfield, 643
3. Union, 683
4. Juab, 685
5. Ogden, 716
6. Grantsville, 719
7. Delta, 768
8. North Sanpete, 775

Final individual results (Top 25)

• 153 — Kenadee Benson, Morgan, Sr. (won in playoff)
• 153 — Hailey Hair, Richfield, Fr.
• 157 — Sophie DeMond, Morgan, So.
• 157 — Taya Snow, Morgan, Fr.
• 159 — Lindsey Wangsgard, Grantsville, So.
• 161 — Peyton Lynn, Juab, Fr.
• 163 — Ruby Wilding, Morgan, Jr.
• 164 — Zaela Kendall, Juab, Fr.
• 164 — Sadie Roberts, Richfield, Jr.
• 168 — Adrie Seely, Richfield, Sr.
• 170 — Mya Malcom, Richfield, Sr.
• 170 — Macie Bell, Morgan, Jr.
• 170 — Brielle Ross, Union, Fr.
• 170 — Mailee Albrecht, Richfield, Jr.
• 171 — Jaci Tidwell, Richfield, Jr.
• 172 — Bentley Hintze, Delta, Sr.
• 172 — Avery Rasmussen, Union, Jr.
• 173 — Jaycee Kissling, Union, So.
• 175 — Charlotte Phipps, Ogden, Jr.
• 176 — Elena Harm, Morgan, Jr.
• 176 — Gracie Bromley, Union, Sr.
• 176 — Braidee Lamb, Union, Jr.
• 178 — Whitney Fife, Ogden, Fr.
• 178 — Brandee Larcival, Emery, Jr.
• 179 — Alli Whicker, Juab, Sr.
• 179 — Shelby McBride, Grantsville, Jr.