The Zionsville Community High School girls golf team had a target on it the entire season. But the Eagles, led by junior Taylor Snively, thrived under pressure.

“I think the biggest key is the drive these girls have,” Eagles coach Maggie Nobbe-Knecht said. “They wake up every day wanting to be better. They can finish a round that is record setting and still walk away feeling like they left shots out there. They constantly push each other to become better golfers, and that competitive drive within the team has been a huge part of our success.”

The Eagles captured their third consecutive IHSAA state championship Oct. 3 with a record-setting two-day total score of 589 at Battle Ground Golf Club in Battle Ground near Lafayette. The score broke the previous record of 604 set by Carmel in 2013. The Eagles had 26 fewer strokes than second-place Carmel.

Snively

Snively became the third girls golfer to win three consecutive individual state titles, joining Carmel’s Martha Foyer (1979-81) and Martinsville’s Leigh Anne Hardin (1997-99).

Snively shot 67 in the opening round and 71 in the second for a 6-under 138. Mt. Vernon sophomore Ressie Lemmon was second with a 144.

“(Snively) is one of the hardest workers I know and puts everything she has into getting better,” Nobbe-Knecht said. “That work ethic is a huge part of what has made her the athlete she is today. But what really separates Taylor is the way she handles pressure. She doesn’t shy away from it, she thrives on it. She takes the pressure and expectations and uses them to her advantage. Over those two days at state, you could see her become even more focused and locked in. When the moment gets bigger, her focus gets sharper.”

Snively said the team was up for the challenge.

“We had an undefeated season, so we had a lot of momentum riding into it,” she said. “Myself and the team probably had a big target on our back going into the championship, but I just played it like any tournament – stuck to my process, just executed shots and got a couple putts to drop Day 1. I built myself a lead and then kind of had a steady day two with the same process.”

Zionsville senior Paige Henney and sophomore Olivia Patton finished in a five-way tie for fifth place with a 149 total. Junior Avery Lewis placed in a tie for 12th with 153 total.

“I’m incredibly proud of all five of my girls,” Nobbe-Knecht said. “They have put so much hard work and effort into getting to where they are today. I’m proud of Taylor, Olivia, Paige and Avery for earning All-State honors. That is such a huge accomplishment, especially in Indiana, where girls golf is on a whole other level. Paige and Olivia have been so consistent and solid all season long, and to see them finish their seasons with top-five finishes at state was special. What makes it even more special is that they got to experience that moment together. To be standing next to your best friend on the biggest stage in high school golf, after all the hours of practice, the early mornings, the ups and downs and everything they’ve gone through together is a pretty incredible reward. Those are the moments and memories that I hope they carry with them long after their high school golf careers are over.”

Nobbe-Knecht said Henney was deserving of the Mental Attitude Award. 

“Paige cheers louder for other people than she does for herself,” she said. “She has this incredible ability to make both experienced golfers and brand-new golfers feel celebrated, supported and like they belong. And the thing about Paige is that this isn’t an act. It’s not something she turns on for other people. It’s simply who she is. She genuinely cares about the people around her.”

Nobbe-Knecht said Henney’s ability to control her mental game is iinspiring. 

“She handles pressure with so much maturity and perspective, and I honestly wasn’t surprised at all that she received this award,” she said. “It could not have gone to a more deserving person.”