MONTGOMERY

While their fall campaigns ended after the 18 holes, the Brownstown Central and Seymour girls golf teams brought home one key intangible: experience.

Brownstown and Seymour competed in quite possibly the toughest regional in the state on Saturday, taking on a plethora of ranked teams at the Washington Regional hosted by Country Oaks Golf Club.

The Braves placed 13th with a season team-low 379 strokes while the Owls got 17th shooting 405 in the 18-team field.

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With both teams boasting one senior each, the Owls and Braves will each return four of their five starters in 2017.

“This is such a great experience for all of our girls,” SHS coach RaeAnn Wintin said. “I’m really glad we got to come out here and be a part of it. We were able to play with some really good teams.”

All three Evansville schools — North, Memorial and Mater Dei — advanced to the state tournament with top-three finishes.

No. 2 North posted an outlandish 296 on the day to top the field.

North’s Hadley Walts won a playoff hole over Mater Dei’s Sophie Rohleder after both scored even-par 72’s for top medalist.

Bedford North Lawrence’s Bailee Gilmore managed 73 and Gibson Southern’s Kenzie Whitten shot a 74 and to punch individual tickets to state. Borden’s Makenzie Smith took the last spot with 77.

Brownstown beat its previous best 18-hole score by almost 30 strokes at regional. It hadn’t broken 400 in the season, and shot 418 at the Bedford North Lawrence sectional in miserable conditions.

“My goal coming into today was four scores under 100,” Brownstown coach Brandon Allman said. “I knew they were capable of it, it’s just a matter of putting it together. The girls played some pretty good golf. I thought they were really focused. They came out relaxed and had fun. I wanted them to not just be happy to be here, but to come and compete.”

Four of Brownstown’s five golfers finished with season-best scores on the day, including senior Breonna Bottorff’s 96.

“We’re going to miss (Bottorff’s) personality the most,” Allman said. “She is able to get a smile on most girls’ faces. She has meant a lot for our program. We will need someone to fill her shoes next year.”

Shelby Stuckwisch carded 94, Regan Campbell shot 99 and KaCee Collins totaled 100 for the Braves for personal bests.

Emma Zabor led the Braves with 90 on the day.

“The course played really long,” ALlman said. “We were on the white tees, so it was about 5,400 yards. They were keeping it in play, but losing some distance on drivers. We need to be able to develop the driver by next year to get an extra 50 yards or so.”

Senior Hannah Thompson shot 98 in her second regional appearance to lead the Owls.

“(Thompson) brought great leadership,” Wintin said. “We’re going to miss having her as a teammate. She’s one of those kids that goes above and beyond to help improve herself and the team. We will miss having her around.”

Bailey Goben was next for Seymour with 101 and Maddie Wisler was one shot behind.

Bridget Marshall scored 104 and Andrea Axsom carded 105 for the Owls.

“I”m just really proud of my girls and how they played today,” Wintin said. “They’re such good teammates to each other. I hope this keeps them motivated and they keep working towards going to regional every year as a team.”

The state championship will be at Prairie View Golf Club on Friday and Saturday.