Lyon County junior Cathryn Brown won the 2nd Region title and now hopes to do the same at next week's state tourney in Bowling Green. (Emily Brown Photo)
Odds are a brother and sister have both won individual high school regional golf championships. But has there ever been a brother and sister in Kentucky both win an individual state golf title? If there has been a brother-sister duo sweep the state titles, let me know because there is a chance it could happen next week during the girls’ tournament at Bowling Green.
Lyon County’s Cullan Brown won the state title in 2016 and was second in both 2015 and 2017. His sister, Cathryn Brown, took medalist honors at the loaded 1st Region Tuesday with a 1-under par 72 and based on her play in recent months has to be one of the favorites at the state tourney.
She was seventh at the state last year — a tourney that was held just a few months after her brother passed at age 20 after a year-long battle with cancer. He was able to play just one season at the University of Kentucky before being diagnosed with cancer.
“We are very proud of her. She’s worked very hard on her game all summer,” Emily Brown, Cathryn’s mother, said Tuesday. “Today she checked off one box to win region. Only goal left for this season is to win state.”
Defending state champion Marshall County won the region — it’s fifth straight regional title — by 20 shots and is favored to repeat as state champion. Megan Hertter and Trinity Beth were third in the region with 1-over-par 74’s. McCracken County’s Madison Glisson placed second with a 73.
“Cathryn was pretty excited (about winning),” Emily Brown said. “All of her friends from our region qualified (for state), so the social activity in Bowling Green next week is going to be strong! Hopefully, quality golf is too.”
Western Kentucky golf is much stronger than it used to be and Cathryn Brown often practices with the Marshall County players.
“I have always heard ‘iron sharpens iron,'” Emily Brown said.
That’s probably a message LPGA Tour player Emma Talley of Princeton has conveyed to Cathryn Brown. Talley is close with the Brown family and has spent time helping Cathryn.
“Her first call after winning was to Emma,” Emily Brown said.
One of Cathryn Brown’s closest friends, Kaitlyn Zieba, won the 2nd Region title. She has recently committed to play at Murray State. She shot 75 to lead her team to a 52-stroke win and its third straight regional title.
“She has really improved all aspects of her game this past year,” Emily Brown said.
Defending state champion Macey Brown of Apollo was sixth in the 2nd Region but advanced to state.
