Chester’s Camryn Luthy shoots 41 on “Senior Day” in the final home match of her high school career
by Jim Beers
CHESTER – It was “Senior Day” at the Chester Country Club Monday September 25 when the Lady Jackets hosted Red Bud and Trico in a triangular match. The event was Chester’s final home match of the season and Chester’s only senior, Camryn Luthy’s final match of her high school career.
It was a rather warm sunny day at the Chester Country Club, but a nice, light breeze made the course bearable and the golfers seemed to enjoy themselves throughout the 9-hole match.
The event was billed as a triangular match, but only Chester and Red Bud has enough players (4) to qualify for a team score. Trico had only two players who played in independent status.
As it turned out, the two Trico Lady Pioneer golfers finished in the top-2 positions. Medalist, or top golfer, was freshman Whitney Lovel of Trico. She shot 40 strokes for the match to win the match.
Teammate Autumn Kennedy, a Trico senior, finished 2nd with her score of 41 strokes. Throughout the entire 2023 season the Lady Pioneers had just two golfers, therefore could never qualify for team competition.
Chester and Red Bud both had enough players for team scores, therefore they battled throughout the match for the top score. Both varsity and junior varsity golfers were allowed to play, but only varsity players’ scores were included in the final team results.
The Chester High School Lady Jackets Golf Team celebrates “Senior Day” following the Triangular Match Monday September 25 at the Chester Country Club. Camryn Luthy was Chester’s only senior Girl’s Golfer in 2023. Pictured here (right to left) are Monica Anaya, Rylie Myers, Riley Lochhead, Macy Bert, Camryn Luthy, Rylie Conley, Addy Gottschammer, Lauren Cowell, and Kendall Nanney. The Lady Jackets are coached by Head Coach Meg Schnoeker. She is assisted by Lavern Misselhorn. Jim Beers Photo
A total of 14 girls competed in the event, seven from Chester, six from Red Bud, and two from Trico.
In team competition, only the top-4 scores count toward the final team score. Additional player’s scores count if and when a tie results and those lower scores are compared to determine the official outcome of the match.
The top golfer’ score determines who is the “Medalist” or “best” golfer for the match. Whitney Lovel, a freshman, earned that title for her 40-stroke performance.
The next two closest scores came from Chester’s Camryn Luthy and Trico’s other golfer, Autumn Kennedy. Both are seniors and both shot 41. Kennedy placed 2nd (tie) and Luthy placed 2nd (tie)
Chester’s team score was 199. Individual Chester scores included:
Camryn Luthy 41 (2nd tie)
Macy Bert 49 (6th)
Riley Lochhead 54 (9th)
Addy Gottschammer 55 (10rth)
Rylie Conley 56 (12th)
Rylie Myers 57 (13th)
Red Bud’s best score was 48, but the Musketeers ended up in a tie with Chester with an identical team score of 199 strokes. Individual scores included:
Payton Burmester 48 (4th tie)
Raeleigh Rosson 48 (4th tie)
Olivia Stoeckel 52 (7th)
Makayla Liefer 55 (10th)
Lydia Koesterer 58 (14th)
Since Chester and Red Bud tied for 1st Place with identical scores of 199 strokes, the tie was broken by comparing the 5th finisher’s score on each team.
Chester’s 5th finisher was Rylie Conley. Her score was 56. Red Bud’s 5th finisher was Makayla Liefer. Her score was 55. Therefore, Red Bud’s 5th finisher had a 1-stroke advantage over Chester’s 5th finisher, breaking the tie and giving the match title to the Red Bud Lady Musketeers.
Following the announcement of results. Chester Head Coach, Meg Schnoeker, presented Camryn Luthy, Chester’s only senior, with her traditional “Senior Day” gifts. A buffet dinner was then enjoyed as prepared by the Chester Country Club.
The Lady Jackets will enter post-season action Thursday September 28 at the 2023 IHSA Class 1A Regional at Carterville.