Ellis leads hosts at Nevada girls golf invite
By Jason Peake
Herald Tribune
NEVADA -- Emmaly Ellis made up for a slow start with a strong finish on Friday at the Nevada Lady Tiger Invitational at Frank E. Peters Golf Course.
A junior, Ellis shot an 84 to lead the way for the host Tigers at the annual invite.
Her score was good for second place overall and led Nevada to a third place team finish.
"She was a little nervous on the front nine, but I think all the girls were," Nevada Coach Brian Leonard said. "She hit the ball pretty well off the tee box, but she was struggling with her approach shots a little bit early."
Ellis had a 45 on her first nine, but rebounded nicely with a 3-over par 39 on the back nine. On the first three holes on the back nine, Ellis carded a par, another par and then a birdie.
"She got on a big roll there," Leonard said.
After finishing her day on the course, Ellis said the difference between the front nine and the back nine was all mental for her.
"I just got my head in the game on the back nine," Ellis said.
The only golfer to finish ahead of Ellis was Joplin's Samantha Stout, who finished with an 82. Stout had a 40 on the front and a 42 on the back nine.
Ellis wasn't the only Tiger who had a solid day on the course.
Nevada senior Morgan Turner finished seventh overall with a score of 91 (47-45).
"She had a good day, too," Leonard commented.
Two freshmen made their high school debuts for Nevada, as Hannah Householder finished ninth overall with a 101 and Maddie Johnson shot a 109, good for 16th place.
Also for Nevada, senior Myra Ornelas finished with a 112.
Overall, Leonard said he was pleased with what he saw out of his team.
"It's the first time out and I think all the girls were nervous."
He added the team will get back to work after the weekend.
"I'll go over the scorecards this weekend and we'll look at what needs improvement," Leonard said. "Mainly the short game and consistency. Once we start playing matches and tournaments weekly, the consistency will come."
Joplin won the invite with a team score of 380 and Seneca was second with a 383. Nevada was third with a 386. Carthage (410), Carl Junction (426) and Galena (467) also competed.
Top five individuals
1. Stout, JOP, 82
2. Ellis, NEV, 84
3. Crawford, SEN, 87
4. Grooms, JOP, 89
5. C. Catron, CAR, 91
tie. Esposito, SEN, 91.
Team by team
Joplin -- 380
Stout -- 82
Grooms -- 89
Fichtner -- 105
Colson -- 104
Davis -- 121
Seneca -- 383
Crawford -- 87
Esposito -- 91
Trevino -- 101
Brownen -- 104
Nevada -- 386
Ellis -- 84
Turner -- 92
Householder -- 101
Ornelas -- 112
Johnson -- 109
Carthage -- 410
C. Catron -- 91
A. Catron -- 101
L. Borland -- 112
Griffiths -- 116
I. Borland -- 106
Carl Junction -- 426
Ferson -- 94
Drummond -- 109
Herron -- 113
Rogers -- 112
Ware -- 111
Galena -- 467
Babbitt -- 116
Adams -- 109
Dugan -- 121
Riley -- 121
Cox -- 142