Friends, teammates, rivals for one spot
But to get there, the Farragut junior had to navigate a difficult process.
After tying senior teammate Harper Holmes with an 87 at the regional tournament on Monday, Sept. 28, Williams and Holmes faced off for the third and final individual spot available.
Williams sunk her putt for par, and Holmes made bogey.
The sequence propelled Williams on to state for another season, but it kept Holmes from reaching the same destination for the third consecutive year.
“They’re close friends and neither one wanted to do the playoff because they knew it was two girls fighting for one position,” Farragut coach Ryan Mahoney said. “They’re teammates and friends, but you have to only have one move on for TSSAA rules.“
“I’ve never seen it before in five years,” Mahoney added of the sequence that unfolded at Island Pointe Golf Club. “Obviously it’s not uncommon, but it doesn’t happen every day. Hardin Valley and us both had two good teams, and West and William Blount had great players too. My heart goes out to Harper. I hated to see her season end this way.”
As a team, the Lady Ads finished second with a 174 that included Olivia Coleman’s 88 as the third FHS score.
The Hardin Valley girls won the region title with a 167, as HVA’s Addisyn Newman was the medalist with a 76.
HVA’s boys team fell short of returning to the state tournament, though Arjun Patel medaled as well with a 70 followed by Bearden’s William Ibbotson with a 72. Ibbotson’s score led a Bearden team that won the boys team title, pushing the Dawgs on to the state tournament for the first time since 2024 and third time in the last four years.
For Farragut, Will Feehan and Bryce Coulter saw their individual seasons end after shooting 81 and 77, respectively.
“Those two boys, they have been with me the last three years,” Mahoney said. “They are a good part of the reason we’ve had 50-plus kids try out every year. They’re great kids, both had really good seasons. It’s sad to see the senior year end for both of them, but I’m super proud of them. They fought hard all day and we are excited to se what the future holds in their next chapter.”
The same sentiment can be applied for Williams next week at state and for her and Coleman next season.
But for Holmes, the road ends after a playoff that no one in navy will likely want to relive.
“It’s so bittersweet,” Mahoney said. “Sophie and Harper are really close and good friends. It’s the whole range of emotions. Super happy for Sophie, heartbroken for Harper, but that’s sports and that’s why we watch them. You never know.”
Photo courtesy of Ryan Mahoney
