Bridgeport's Kerr Wins WVSSAC High School Girls Golf Invitational; Indians' Knotts Finishes Fourth
By Chris Johnson on September 04, 2024
Bridgeport High School sophomore Audrey Kerr won the 2024 WVSSAC High School Girls Golf Invitational on Tuesday at The Links at Woodridge in Mineral Wells.
And her junior teammate, McKenna Knotts wasn’t too far behind her, finishing fourth overall in the sventh annual playing of the invitational.
Kerr finished with a score of 70, just one stroke over par for the event. Knotts finished with a score of 75. Both also earned all-tournament honors. A record 126 golfers competed in the event.
The victory for Kerr was solidifed in dynamic fashion as she eagled her final hole, a par 5 on hole number 18.
“Going into it, I knew the the girls around me were close but I wasn’t aware how close,” Kerr said. “On the tee, I was debating on going with a hybrid or a driver, I went with the driver and I hit it on the left side of the rough, then I hit my hybrid to get on the green and it left me with about a six-foot putt and I made the putt.”
All told, Kerr parred 14 holes, birdied one and eagled one.
Knotts started strong and finished even stronger. She birdied, and parred twice on her final three holes to secure a Top 5 finish. For her round, Knotts parred a total of 11 holes and birdied on three.
“I played the course last week, and everything was playing nice,” Knotts said. I was excited to get out there today. The first couple of holes I knew it was going to be a good day. It was a long day but I kept pushing through it and came out with a score I was really happy with.
“On my last couple of holes, I knew it was coming down to the wire and I could have the chance to score really well. It was definitely exciting.”
Kerr and Knotts, who have played countless rounds of golf together, went to the Mineral Wells course two Sundays ago to get an in-person feel for it prior to the Inivtational. The previous six invitationals were played at Mingo Bottom in Elizabeth.
Both said the practice round helped but both knew they had to show up today and play well against tough competition.
“Course knowledge is always really valuable so I think that definitley helped me out,” Kerr said. "I love playing this tournament, there are a lot of good girls in the field, so to win it means a lot to me, especially because I’m close with a lot of those girls. I’m definitley glad the tournament is growing. It’s a great opportunity for girls and I hope we get even more girls in the upcoming years.”
Knotts added, “This course a little bit shorter, less hazards. Fairways and greens really nice. To finish fourth, it’s awesome. I’m really greatful to have the opportunit to play with these girls and on this course.”
For BHS golf coach Chris Kerr, it was not only exciting seeing the results of his two golfers on Tuesday, it’s exciting about what it could potentially mean for the rest of the season as one of his recent goals for his entire team was to see them step up in pressure situations.
“They exceeded my expectations,” Coach Kerr said. I’m so happy for the both of them. For Audrey to shoot 70, McKenna 75, they were super excited for each other. I was hoping for the mid to high 70s for both of them, and for both to be low-mid 70s, I’m super excited for both of them.
"McKenna made birdie, par, par and Audrey eagles 18 to win it, that’s the kind of things we need in pressure situations and they both stepped up and made their mark today.”
Editor's Note: Top photo of Top 10 finishers including Knotts, second from left, and Kerr, fourth from left, and second photo of Kerr courtesy of the WVSSAC. Bottom photo of Knotts by Joe LaRocca.
