Menne wins golf title, Gators finish third

High school golf fans in Arizona saw over the weekend why Xavier Prep senior Ashley Menne has been able to use a consistent overall game to win three straight Division I state individual titles in her first three years.

She shot a 10-under-par 133 over the Catalina and Sonoran courses at the Omni Tucson National resort to outlast runner-up Tucson Salpointe Catholic sophomore Mackenzie McRee and win the Nighthawk Invitational individual title for the third straight year. Tucson National will be the site of the Division I and II state tournament for the third straight time in 2019.

In the team standings, Xavier finished third with a 27-over 599 behind winner Chandler Hamilton (23-over 595) and runner-up Cave Creek Cactus Shadows (25-under 597).

Xavier, which has won 36 state titles over the years and eight in a row, had four other finishers in the Nighthawk . They were sophomore Ivy Song, 10^th (+8 151), junior Mary Beth Doss, tied for 11^th (+10 153), senior Breyana Matthews, 23^rd (+19 162) and junior Lauren Garcia, 25^th (+29 172). Fifty golfers participated in the event.

“We are so proud of Ashley,’’ said Sr. Lynn Winsor, co-head coach with Tui Selvaratnam. “She played awesome golf for two days and deservedly won the tournament.

“Only four shots separated the top three teams at the Nighthawk and Coach Tui and I are confident in our girls. We have many more matches and invitationals ahead of us this season. Go Gator Golf.’’

The Gators have a quick turnaround and will be back in action on Monday (Aug. 26), meeting Phoenix Desert Vista and Chandler Basha at the Foothills Club West in Ahwatukee. First tee time is 3 p.m.