The best competition for the Timpview Girls Golf Team at the 5A State Tournament was herself.
The T-Birds set a team goal to score 315 or better on Day 1, and they hit 311. On Day 2, the goal was 309. They scored 308.
The rest took care of themselves.
Timpview blew a whopping 111 shots past the rest of the field and won the states team title at the Oaks at Spanish Fork on Tuesday. He scored a total of 619 points. Olympus finished second with 730 and Bonneville third with 732.
The T-Birds won the Region 8 team title with over 200 strokes and led the 5A tournament after Day 1 with 41 strokes, so Timpview coach Jeff Ward let his golfers focus on themselves.
“We try to set a team goal every day for the team,” said Ward. “And that’s what we’re worried about. I tell them, “Listen, if we can shoot this, we’re fine.” Of course, after taking the lead yesterday, I just wanted them to go out, focus, and play for it. That was fun. I am so excited about my girls. “
Junior Sunbin Seo burned the last nine with birdies on four of the last six holes to become a medalist. He shot a 68 and finished with a two-day total of 139 (-7). Teammate Rachel Lillywhite, who took the lead after Day 1, finished second with 142 (-4) and newcomer Emma Lillywhite fourth with 153 (+7).
“I think I focused on staying calm, playing my own game and dropping putts,” said Seo, who finished fourth as a freshman in 2019 when the T-Birds won the school’s first girls’ golf title. “I was close to the first nine, but I just couldn’t drop anything. I finally made it to the back nine and my putts fell. “
Seo paid tribute to assistant trainer Michelle Landers for walking with her for most of the second day to help her stay relaxed.
“I think this is a great time,” said Seo. “I love my team. Since golf is such an individual sport, I always focus on myself, but I love walking around the course, waving to my teammates and seeing how they are doing. which makes me play better and really motivates me. “
The juniors Keilani Hanamaikai (22nd), Kami Howard (35th) and Lucy Thorsenson (55th) rounded off the top 6 for Timpview. Howard, the team’s # 5 golfer, shot the lowest round of the year at 91.
“The girls were just excited to play,” said Ward. “To be honest, that was the greatest. Last year the UHSAA canceled the season (due to COVID-19) during our first regional golf tournament. I received a call on the course from the AD that we were canceled. The girls were just grateful to be able to play again and see what we can do. “
Timpview’s top five golfers are four juniors and one freshman.
“Every single one of them will be with me again next year,” said Ward. “This group is having a lot of fun. Our team van rides are a blast. We had music from ‘Rocky’ this morning, chosen by Rachel. “
When asked if she likes her teammate’s old music selection, Seo said, “No. I listen to KPop and Korean music, so it’s alien to me. “
The way Seo played during the tournament, she probably earned the right to hear a little blackpink on the way back to Provo on Tuesday.
“We haven’t given in to her yet,” said Ward with a laugh. “Maybe we’ll be on our way home this afternoon.”
Lehi finished eighth in the team race behind Patiola Uluave (seventh at +29) and Brooke Anderson (ninth at +33).
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