Dorminy captures PAC-10 Girls Individual title
GILBERTSVILLE >> She was the model of consistency.
From start to finish, Carly Dorminy limited her mistakes.
On the rare occasion the Perkiomen Valley senior did make a mistake, she always found a way to put it behind her.
Ultimately, that gave her the edge as she put the rest of the Pioneer Athletic Conference field behind her shooting an even-par 70 to take home the PAC-10 Girls Individual title on Tuesday at Gilbertsville Golf Club.
“I just wanted to hit good shots and score well, that was my goal from the start,” said Dorminy. “I knew if I could limit my mistakes and hit the fairways regularly, good things would happen.
“My putting made all the difference, though. I sunk some long putts and found a way to save par a few times. Anytime I hit a bad shot, I tried to just forget about it and worry about the next one.”
Perkiomen Valley girls head coach Barry Spencer says Dorminy has come a long way since the first time she picked up a club just before her freshman season four years ago.
“She has a fantastic work ethic,” said Spencer. “She’s always been one of the hardest workers even during the offseason. There isn’t a part of her game that she hasn’t constantly worked to improve, and I think she’s been seeing the results of her hard work this season.”
Dorminy notched three birdies and three bogeys on the day to go along with 12 pars.
Her most impressive stretch came on the back nine (Blue Course), where she rattled off eight-straight holes without a bogey and added a birdie in the mix.
Her lone bogey on the back nine came on No. 18, where she admits the nerves may have kicked in a bit.
“I hit a great shot off the tee, but definitely didn’t help myself with my second shot,” said Dorminy of sending her fairway shot over the green and into the rough. “That was probably the worst ball I hit all day. But I just put it behind me and concentrated on finishing out the hole.”
Entering the day matched up with two-time champion Maddie Sager from Owen J. Roberts, Dorminy showed no signs of intimidation.
She just stuck to her game.
“She’s a really strong player and I knew she was going to bring her best,” said Dorminy. “I think she brought out the best in me. She was shooting really well toward the end, which was starting to put some pressure on me.”
Sager really put the pressure on Dorminy on the 15th hole.
Down three strokes and coming off a birdie on No. 14, Sager nailed an eagle putt from the fringe on the par-5 406-yard hole.
With that, she was within one stroke of Dorminy.
“I started to think comeback and I may have gotten a little bit ahead of myself,” said Sager, who followed up her eagle with a bogey on No. 16. “I didn’t want to let myself get too riled up after that; unfortunately I just couldn’t keep it going.”
On the day, she carded a 2-over 72, good enough for third place as she finished with an eagle, two birdies, nine pars and six bogeys.
“There are probably about four putts I’d love to have back,” said Sager. “On the front I had a couple lip-outs and ended up missing a few birdie chances. My putting has always been one of the most important parts of my game, but I just couldn’t sink them today.”
Downingtown East freshman Liddie McCook finished between Dorminy and Sager in second place with a 1-over 71 for the round.
“I tried to keep a good attitude out there,” said McCook following the round. “There were a few shots I wish I would have played differently, but I’m really happy with my score. I know I’m one of the youngest ones here, but I hardly even think about that. I try to just concentrate on playing me versus the course.”
In total, 19 players qualified for the district tournament.
Phoenixville and Hatboro-Horsham tied for the most, each sending three representatives.
Grace Simenson shot a team-low 86 for the Phantoms followed by Maddie Davis (89) and Allison Bradley (94).
“I’m really excited to have another chance at districts,” said Simenson, a sophomore. “Last year I blew up on the first day and missed the cut. I’m hoping I can do a lot better this time around.”
The Hatters will send fourth-place finisher Cassady Gavaghan (75), Hannah Fireman (78) and Cameron Fisher (92).
Along with Dorminy, Perkiomen Valley will send Alyssa Washeleski (92) while Spring-Ford will send Emily Pochet (89) and Kelsey Hahn (94).
“This season has been a whole new experience,” said Pochet, a junior who is playing her first season of competitive golf for Spring-Ford. “I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do at districts. I know there’s going to be a lot of good competition there.”
Boyertown will send Savanna Haas and (89) and Katie Goida (90) while Emma Lawrie (82) and Sarah Reider (94) will represent Methacton.
Jaclyn D’Angelo (82) and Courtney Ciaola (85) will represent Pope John Paul II while Liv Julianna (76) will represent Great Valley.
Like Dorminy did Tuesday, the PAC representatives will look to stay cool, calm and collected when they return to Gilbertsville Golf Club for the District 1 Golf Championship on Oct. 12-13.
NOTES >> Dorminy posted 35 putts on the day including three-one putts. … Sager totaled 33 putts on the round.
