HOT SPRINGS -- The Class 5A girls golf championship, an 18-hole stroke event, turned into virtual match play between two Arkansas junior program veterans.
Forrest City junior Elizabeth Moon and Pulaski Academy senior Audrey Pulliam were paired together Wednesday at Hot Springs Country Club. Pulliam's bid for back-to-back state titles fell short by one stroke with Moon regaining the title, which she won in 2014 at Wynne, by one stroke.
Moon shot a 1-under-par 71 and Pulliam an even-par 72 on the Park course. Third-place finisher Olivia Parker of Greenbrier posted an 82.
"I knew she was my main competitor," said Pulliam, who has orally committed to William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
"I knew where I stood with her at all times" during the match, said Moon, who transferred this year from Wynne to Forrest City.
Moon, calling accuracy off the tee her greatest strength, made four birdies but said she "missed a lot of short putts."
Pulliam said she, too, left a few shots on the green but conceded "you can't make everything."
"I wanted back-to-back titles," Pulliam said, "but I'm pleased with myself for finishing second. I felt very confident before the match and thought I had a good chance to win."
Little Rock Christian ran off with the team championship, its top three girls posting a combined 271 -- 29 strokes better than runner-up Maumelle.
Briahna Willis had a 86, Laura Hewitt a 92 and Abby Blankenship a 93 for Little Rock Christian, earning all three all-state recognition.
Moon, Pulliam and Parker advance to the overall state tournament Oct. 15 at Little Rock's Pleasant Valley Country Club, which is Pulliam's home course. Other all-state honorees, based on their tournament scores, were Alexis Montgomery and Skylar Brown of Maumelle, Harrison's Lane Horn and Lakeside's Gracen Blount.
Sports on 09/29/2016