By Jed Blackwell

Associate Editor/Publisher

Byrnes’ Lady Rebel Invitational is often seen as a benchmark for what the girls’ high school golf season can turn out to be.

If that’s the case this year, then Upstate teams are in for a heck of a season.

Dorman edged Blythewood 314-317 in the event played at River Falls, one of the first big tournaments on the high school calendar.

“I’m really, really impressed with a 314 today,” Dorman coach Olivia Herring said. “Any coach would be proud of the way these girls played today. I’m really proud, and I’m hopeful for a lot more wins this season.”

Lexington and Byrnes tied for third place at 329, with Chesnee’s 332 rounding out the top five.

Individual medalist honors went to Dorman’s Abby Franks, who fired a two-under-par 70. She was one of only three players to break par at the event, as Catawba Ridge’s Eileen Zeolin and Blythewood’s Ell Stalvey tied as runners-up at 71

Franks said she was happy about the way she played.

“I made six birdies today,” Franks said. “I got lucky with some putts. I hit my drive pretty well, and I just kind of played steady. It was a little up and down all day, but I just tried to make some birdies.”

Dorman got good scores throughout the lineup, with Maddie Peake shooting an 80, Maddie Carraway carding an 85, and Londyn Rath, who was penciled in as the Cavaliers’ fifth golfer, shooting 79. Herring said that type of depth is crucial to Dorman’s success.

“It’s very hard when we come out of qualifying to know who’s going to be in the next event,” she said. “We’re constantly having to move and shift because we have so much talent, and I’m just really fortunate, and the girls are really fortunate to be able to play with competitive people.” 

Chesnee’s Olivia Roberts, Mauldin’s Olivia Pellerin, Lexington’s Brooke Burgess, and Daniel’s Peyton O’Brien rounded out the All-Tournament team.