Female Hot Shot winner: Mackenzie Bennett, Mitchell
Throughout elementary and middle school, Mackenzie Bennett focused on volleyball and played golf when she could. But when it came time to enter high school, she faced a dilemma. Volleyball and golf are both fall sports, so she could only play one.
“I decided to play golf because I thought I had a better chance to improve and maybe play it in college,” Bennett said. “I have improved a lot since my freshman year.”
The junior has developed into the Mustangs’ top golfer. She averages around 37 shots per nine holes and was part of last year’s team that advanced to the Class 2A state championship. She shot 98 and 93.
Over the summer, Bennett spent just about every weekend playing in junior golf tournaments. The result has been even lower scores in high school matches. Bennett said her strength is mostly around the greens.
“It really depends on the day, but my driving usually gets me in a good position,” she said. “And I’m good at chipping and putting. That’s where I save a lot of strokes.”
While shooting low rounds is her goal the rest of the high school season, she said she is really more focused on team goals. Mitchell is 6-0 with a match scheduled for Wednesday.
“I want to get back to the state tournament,” she said. “We were 10th last year and I know we can do better than that. I want to finish in the top five.”
Why she won: Bennett played in two matches last week and was the individual medalist in both. She shot 3-under 30 at the Groves Golf Course against Sunlake, then shot 38 at Heritage Springs a day later against Pasco and River Ridge.
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