JOHNSTOWN ― Last year, Ella Clarke edged out classmate Carmella Aulet for Licking County League Player of the Year, and the season-opening Utica Invitational on July 30 served notice it could come down to the Granville seniors again.
After Aulet shot a 2-under-par 34 on the front nine at the Links at Echo Springs, Clarke rallied with a 33 on the back, tying her for first place at even par 72. Aulet was awarded medalist honors in a scorecard playoff, but either way, the veteran Blue Aces looked primed for another successful 2026 that could include a big tournament run.
Losing just one golfer from last year, Granville fired a 311, good for a 42-stroke victory over runnerup Watkins Memorial (353) in the 13-team event.
Aulet led most of the way and was under par after birdies on 2, 4 and 5. But a bogey on 15 and double bogey on 17 opened the door for Clarke, who had four bogeys on the front, but birdies on the back at 10, 11, 14 and 16.
“I hit a lot more greens on the back nine, and a lot of putts were able to drop,” Clarke said. “With my drives, I was able to put it around the greens pretty well. I was locked in on my swing, and my consistency is improving.”
Asked if there was a lot of competitive fire between the two, Clarke insisted there was not.
“We’re always cheering each other on,” she said.
Observed coach Al Sowards: “They’re two peas in a pod, always hanging out on the course and away from the course. We just had our tryouts yesterday, so it made a little tough today.”
Aulet took her normal approach throughout a beautiful day on the scenic, but demanding Echo Springs layout.
“Trust my swing,” she said. “Try not to over-think anything. Just zone out and lock in. I’m really proud of Ella too. Outside of golf, we’re really close.”
Junior Aubrey Lewis added an 83, good for sixth overall and a spot on the all-tournament team. Senior Molly Montgomery was just behind at 84.
“This team is really close,” Clarke said. “We want to have fun and see how far we can go. Maybe make it to the state tournament.”
Added Aulet: “I think we can. A start like this can help us.”
A pair of seniors also led Watkins to its second-place finish. Ella Yost carded a 76 (37-39) that included birdies on 7 and 8, along with 16. Hailey Smith posted an 80 (39-41) as they placed fourth and fifth overall behind Westerville South sophomore Sydney Hawes, who had 75. Freshmen Emma Booher and Ashlynn Burkhart had 85 and 112 respectively for the Warriors.
“My irons and ball striking were strong,” Yost said. “Most of the time, I was within 20 feet, and when you’re doing that, you can just hit a 9-iron in. I just wish I could have made a few more putts.”
She’s really prepared well for her final high school season and hopes to continue collegiately.
“Matt Smith is my swing coach, and I’ve worked in the weightroom at school,” she said. “I was around golf every single day, either on the course, or working on my putting and swing.”
Host Utica, led by senior Kadence Miller’s 93 and a 98 by sophomore Chloe McDonald, placed fifth at 391. Heath, paced by senior Peyton Lawson’s 89, took eighth with 444. Lawson made second-team All-LCL last season and has a best round of 84.
“Can I break 80? Probably not, although I left some shots out there,” she said. “I played pretty well for the first tournament. I’ve been out a lot, working on my short game and putting. I’m just happy we’re playing because we had to scrap just to get a team together.”
Granville’s “B” team, led by a 90 from senior Kaitlyn Hargis, finished ninth with 448. Freshman Dagne Mantell shot 102 for Lakewood, 10th at 455, while junior Olivia Pennycuff had 109 for 11th-place Licking Heights. Licking Valley, which got a 107 from freshman Leah Miskell, was 12th and Mount Vernon 13th.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Granville girls impressive in season-opening tournament championship
Reporting by Dave Weidig, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dave Weidig, Newark Advocate | USA TODAY Network
