BROOKHAVEN — Loyd Star took first place in the boys and girls golf tournament between Wesson, Loyd Star and Brandon High School Monday. The tournament was held at Brookhaven Country Club. 

Abby Burnette shot a 92 to lead the Hornets and Zoey Ashley and Bently Roberson shot a 98 to lead Wesson. Brandon’s Lilly Hatfield shot 90 to win low medalist for the girls. 

Brody Thibodaux shot a 73 to win the low medalist for the boys. Wesson’s Selman shot an 83 to lead the Cobras. The low score was an example of the great golf Thibodaux is playing. He finished in the top 10 this weekend in the Brookhaven Country Club championship and played for a place on the Norwood Cup team after winning his flight. 

“It was all I was hoping for. I would be happy to win my flight and I wanted to hit the top 10. Those two days I was exhausted mentally,” Thibodaux said. “Today I came out to have fun. It changes things a little bit. In big tournaments I play better because I’m focused but today I just wanted to have fun.” 

He equalled his best round of the weekend by shooting a 73 Monday. Over the summer, he has grown and been able to consistently shoot below 75. His goals are to win state and low medalist. 

Physically, he was a little sore from playing three straight rounds of 18 holes from Friday to Sunday. Mississippi High School Activities Association moved the golf season to the fall which Thibodaux is excited about. He said the spring can be hot. 

Wesson’s Bently Roberson said playing golf right now is hot but fun. She started playing golf two and a half years ago and joined the Wesson team. Her papaw introduced her to the game. 

“I went one day with him and loved it. I love golf because I can see my growth and how much better I can be. It is rewarding to know where you were and where you are now.” 

She said golf is a game people can play for a lifetime and she has dreams of playing golf in college. One of her goals this year is to break 100 which her round of 98 Monday ticked off. She said her ultimate goal is to shoot a round of 88. 

The low score of 88 would take a lot of practice and work on short game. A freshman, she would love to play golf in college one day. 

“My papaw always says “You drive for show and putt for dough,” Roberson said. “I want to be successful and love Jesus. I currently go to First Baptist Church in Summit.” 

Loyd Star’s Kaylin Hester started playing golf four months ago and has fallen in love with the game. Like Roberson, she is a freshman in high school. 

Her dad introduced her to the game and she has stuck with it. Softball was her primary sport but thanks to the MHSAA moving golf to the fall she can play both sports. Over the last four months she has improved tremendously and finished the Monday round with a score of 93. 

“I progressed a lot when I first started. It was rough but I didn’t give up,” Hester said. “My goal is to shoot in the mid 80s this year and maybe win a tournament as the low medalist. I want to play either golf or softball in college.” 

 

Local Results

Loyd Star Boys

Brody Thibodeaux, 73 

Caden White, 80 

Riley Case, 80

Nathan Mills, 78

Kayne Case, 79

Casen Easterling, 74

 

Wesson Boys

Selman, 83

Ebarb, 84

Coleman, 84

Butler, 90

Robbins, 97

Caraway, 96

 

Loyd Star Girls

Abby Burnette, 92

Kaylin Hester, 93

Ainsley Gennaro, 100

Leslie Ann James, 102

Arbella Jackson, 95

 

Wesson Girls

Zoey Ashley, 98

Bently Roberson, 98

Jacey Heard, 101

Blair Mathis, 102

Cameron, 101