Witcher, Willen in Top 20, Lady Purples hold fourth place at KHSAA Girls’ State Golf Finals

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Friday morning, it was time for the ladies to tee off in the 2026 Leachman Buick-GMC KHSAA Golf State Championships.

After recently setting a new school record with a score of 290 at this year’s Region 3 Championship, the Bowling Green Lady Purples began their quest for a podium finish at state.

Mary Douglas Childers led her team through day one, finishing 8-over par with two birdies.

Saanvi Aravantagi and Ellie Morgan followed close behind, ranking among the top 40 golfers through the first 18 holes.

As a team, the Lady Purples sit at fourth place following day one.

Head coach Adam Whitt shared his thoughts after Friday’s action.

“ We kind of battled some nerves early and some high expectations and didn’t get off to the start that we wanted, but super proud of the way that they kind of bounced back there on the backside and kind of put them in position to get back on the podium tomorrow,” Whitt said. “Hope to play a little bit better of a round tomorrow than we did today and move up the leaderboard.”

Individually, two local golfers hit the course this afternoon in Cumberland County’s Kenzie Willen and Barren County’s Chloe Witcher.

The two seniors have been at the top of their game all season long, and through 18 holes in the state final they both sit in the top 20 of the solo leaderboard.

Willen ended 6-over par while Witcher rounded out one stroke better at 5-over par.

“ I had a blast today. Other than some tears after some bad holes and a little bit of senioritis and emotions, I’m okay,” Witcher said. “Maybe a bounce back tomorrow. I don’t expect (a top finish), but I would like to come back for me and just to see how far I can do, because after a 77, I’d like to see what I can get back from that.”

To see the full leaderboard across the state after the first day of play click here.