The State’s best: Meet the 2024 Midlands all-area high school girls golf team
A look at The State’s all-area girls golf team and players of the year from Midlands high schools for the 2024 season.
Top individuals
▪ The State’s Player of the Year: Caroline Hawkins, Blythewood
▪ Readers’ choice Player of the Year (fan vote): Merritt Barbery, AC Flora
All-Area Golf Team
Mia Andrade, Chapin: The senior had a scoring average of 77.3, was the medalist at the Class 5A Division II Lower State championship. Andrade finished ninth at the 5A Division II state tournament, was selected for North-South golf matches and is committed to Western Carolina.
Lakin Atkinson, Camden: The senior had a 39.8 scoring average for nine holes, won the West Florence Invitational and was sixth at the 4A Upper State golf championship. Atkinson committed to Erskine.
Merritt Barbery, AC Flora: Junior was all-state after fifth-place finish at the Class 4A championship. She was sixth at the 4A Upper State championship.
Lilly Reed Black, Chapin: The senior had a 77.4 scoring average and was the medalist at the Class 5A Division II state tournament, first in program history. Black was selected for North-South golf matches and is signed with William & Mary.
Caitlyn Gaines, River Bluff: Senior had a scoring average of 78.5, finished fifth at 5A Division I championship and was runner-up at Upper State championship. She signed with Southern Wesleyan and was picked for the North-South All-Star golf matches.
Caroline Hawkins, Blythewood: The junior became the third girls golfer in state history to win a third-straight individual championship, capturing the Class 5A Division I championship. Hawkins had a 70.4 scoring average and was medalist in four of her five matches this season.
Charli Heaton, River Bluff: Freshman had a scoring average of 79.5 with eight top-10 finishes. Heaton was 10th in Class 5A Division I tournament to earn all-state honors and was eighth at the 5A Division I Upper State tournament.
Benedicta Pollard, Swansea: The senior had a scoring average of 80 and was Class 3A all-state for the second-straight year after shooting a final round 76. Pollard was selected for the North-South golf matches.
Taryn Smoak, Lexington: Junior had six top-10 finishes this season, had a 38.9 scoring average (nine holes), was all-region, was fifth at 5A Division I Upper State championship and 13th at the Class 5A Division I championship.
Kylie Smith, Gray Collegiate: The sophomore finished 11th at the Class 4A state championship and was 13th in the Lower State championship.
——Honorable Mention——
Kinley Brazell, Hammond; Brooke Burgess, Lexington; Rosie Garrett, Spring Valley; Reagan Haggard, Chapin; Lyles Herritage, Lexington; Jameson Keeter, Lugoff-Elgin; Adysen Langdale, Gilbert; Caroline Richardson, Blythewood; Josey Sweat, Camden
