Washington High School senior Abby Blackwell competed at the MSHSAA Class 3 Girls Golf Championships Monday and Tuesday, October 20 and 21, at Twin Hills Country Club in Joplin.

Blackwell finished in a tie for fifth place in the individual standings with rounds of 83 and 82 for a 36-hole total of 165 on the par 72 course. It’s her second career all-state performance after finishing tied for 10^th place last year as a junior.

“Abby played incredibly well at the state tournament in spite of very challenging, windy conditions,” said Washington Girls Golf Coach Ben Hornback. “She shot an 83 on the first day with a steady cross wind of around 25 miles per hour and consistent gusts topping 40 miles per hour. Scores across the board were high the first day, but Abby kept her head, flighted her ball low to keep it out of the wind, and was able to card an 83, which was good enough for fourth place after day one.

“Day two, the wind had died slightly, but it had changed directions and presented new challenges for the field. Scores day two were lower across the board. Abby struck the ball well, but just couldn't get her putts to fall. A string of three putts moved her out of the top five for most of the day. Again, she kept her head, finished with three consecutive pars to shoot a 10 over 82 and tie for fifth place overall.”

Blackwell ends her high school career as a two-time state medalist, a four-time state qualifier, two-time GAC North Central Conference Player of the Year, and holds the WHS girls golf program record for best nine-hole round (-6, 29 at Warrenton) and 18-hole round (-1, 70 at Wolf Hollow).

“During Abby’s time on the team, she led the program to a district runner-up finish her freshman year and a district championship her junior year, as well as leading the team to its only top three finish at the state tournament last season,” Hornback said. “On top of all of this, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA.” 

Washington’s Abby Blackwell Tied for Fifth Place at the MSHSAA Class 3 Girls State Golf Championships.