PREP GOLF: Lady Bruin Invitational loaded with star power (8/15)

By CHUCK JONES cjones@thenewsenterprise.com FORT KNOX — Although the Lady Bruin Invitational might lack the team star power this year, the individual field could have a state tournament feel to it. The field is highlighted by North Hardin’s Lydia Gumm, Caldwell County’s Emma Talley, Shelby County’s Candice Wiley, Glasgow’s Kristen Wilkinson, Central Hardin’s Caitlyn Wilkerson, Lexington Henry Clay’s Whitney Miller, Adair County’s Lauren Goodin and Elizabethtown’s Paige Raine and Kayla Kincer. Talley, a freshman, finished in a tie for third in last year’s state tournament, while Wiley, a senior, tied for eighth place followed by Gumm, an eighth-grader at J.T. Alton Middle School, in 11th. Wilkinson, Kincer, Wilkerson, Miller and Raine were all in the top 37. Wiley won the state tournament in a playoff with former Central Hardin standout Karisa Akin in 2005 and Gumm finished second in 2006. “If people want to see some good golf, they should come out and watch,” Central Hardin coach Chris Adams said. “I expect these girls to put up some great numbers.” The past champions’ list of the Lady Bruin Invitational, which is six years old, reads like a who’s who list. Gumm and Talley each have won the event as well as 2008 Women’s Kentucky State Amateur champion Laura Anderson, Ashley Rose and Akin. “We’ve had some quality winners,” Adams said. The Lady Bruin Invitational starts at 12:45 p.m. Saturday with a shotgun start at Lindsey Golf Course on post. The course will once again be demanding at 5,894 yards. “It’s difficult,” Adams said of the par-73 course. “I set the yardage which is difficult, but (club pro) Clyde (Hill) makes the pins accessible, which allows the girls to score pretty well.” Adams cites two northern Kentucky tournaments and the All ‘A’ Classic for the drop in teams from last year’s invitational, but he said it’s still a quality field. Last year’s event had 22 teams, while this year there will be 19. “We still have a good group of schools,” Adams said. “I’m pretty pleased. We have great support from the area schools and Bowling Green and Glasgow have been in it every year. I’m pleased to have more than 100 girls in the tournament considering the other tournaments going on.” Besides Central Hardin, John Hardin and Elizabethtown will field teams as well as 3rd Region foes Nelson County, Grayson County and Marion County. Adams said Glasgow, Whitley County, Henry Clay and Shelby County should be in contention for the team title. Chuck Jones can be reached at 505-1759