There’s Moore where that came from: Rochester junior shoots 81, takes medalist in season-opening win

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Molly Moore

The post-Olivia Bailey era of Rochester girls golf started with a win.

Molly Moore shot an 81 to earn medalist honors as the Lady Zs won a three-way, 18-hole match over Triton and Winamac at Round Barn Golf Club at Mill Creek Monday.

Rochester shot a 424, Triton had a 483, and Winamac had a 509.

Chloe McKinney led Triton with a 97.

Sophia Shell was Winamac’s low scorer with a 122. Scarlett Browning added a 124, Brianna Patton had a 130, Lila Lavender had a 133, and Madalen Keller had a 140.

Moore played in two tournaments a week over the summer, according to coach Dan Bailey. She was the No. 3 player when the team qualified for state in 2024 and the No. 2 player last year, and she made the All-Three Rivers Conference team both years.

“Molly played a ton of golf over the summer,” coach Bailey said. “It didn’t surprise me that she came out and had a pretty solid round today because it wasn’t starting fresh for her. She kind of has been playing all year long. I think she maybe had a little bit of first-high-school-match-as-a-junior nerves just getting into the groove of it, but by the time she made the turn to the back nine, it was really good.”

With Ava Thomas’ graduation in 2025 and Bailey’s graduation after tying for eighth at state last year, Moore takes over as the No. 1.

Rochester’s other three scores included Lexi Haughs’ 96, Lily Chipps’ 120 and Audrey Widman’s 127. All three are seniors.

“On paper, it looks like we’re tremendously experienced,” coach Bailey said. “But Lily and Audrey haven’t played a ton of golf, competitively for sure. We kind of have a wide range from Molly, who plays a ton of golf, and Lexi played some in the summer. Lily and Audrey got started late in their high school career.”

Haughs has ascended from No. 4 to No. 3 to No. 2 in the lineup over the last three years.

Coach Bailey said there are three other freshmen who came out for golf who have never played a competitive 18-hole tournament before. Kenley Smith, McKenna Jackson and Zoe Blakesley all played at the middle school level.

“We got three freshmen on the team who are really starting fresh, so we’ve got a really wide range of mixed talent and experience,” coach Bailey said.

He said it is a “really big jump” for a player if they have never played an 18-hole tournament before.

“I’m not in any hurry to throw those guys into the fire,” coach Bailey said.

Chloe Winn, who was the No. 5 player on last year’s TRC championship team, has chosen not to play.

North Miami was scheduled to compete but did not play. They are also scheduled to travel to Rochester for a match Aug. 24.

Rochester will travel to play in the Kokomo Invitational at Kokomo Country Club at 9 a.m. Saturday.

at Round Barn Golf Club at Mill Creek Monday (par 72)

Rochester 424, Triton 483, Winamac 509

ROCHESTER (424): Molly Moore 81, Lexi Haughs 96, Lily Chipps 120, Audrey Widman 127

TRITON (483): McKinney 97, Kitch 104, Young 138, Unidentified No. 4 Player 144

WINAMAC (509): Sophia Shell 122, Scarlett Browning 124, Brianna Patton 130, Lila Lavender 133, (Madalen Keller 140)