Woods Cross

The Woods Cross High girls golf team won the program’s first 5A state title, winning by three strokes over Bonneville at Glendale Golf Course May 19-20. Senior Kennedee Pearson, the Region 5 medalist, shot 74s at the two-day tournament to finish third individually.

“It was an amazing two days – perhaps the most stressful I’ve ever had!” said head coach Brandon Pearson. “But in the end, victory was worth it all. It was an amazing end to a two-day tournament and the completion to an amazing year!”

“Winning state was one of the best feelings. I am so proud of the team and all of the time and dedication that these girls put in,” said Pearson, who chipped in on the 18th hole as a “great way to end my high school career.” “Finishing third was a great accomplishment for me. I’ve come a long way since my freshman season. My goal this year was to work hard and do the best I could at each tournament and focus on competing against myself.”

“It was a dream come true!” said sophomore Tess Poulsen, who tied for 11th with rounds of 80 and 84, and noted overcoming a double bogey finish on the 18th hole on Day One to hit “one of the best six-iron shots I have ever hit” to set up a key par to help the team secure the state title. “We have worked so hard as a team and it was great to see all the winter training sessions and practices pay off.”

“It felt amazing winning state and receiving the trophy,” said junior Vivian Oaks, who was top-20 with a 16th-place finish. “We have worked so hard to get to where we are. If you would have told me 2 years ago that we would win state, I would have said you are crazy.”

“Winning state felt like such a huge accomplishment,” said freshman Makenzie Pearson, who came in 24th, highlighted by a 30-foot putt on Hole No. 7 on Day One that “helped me stay motivated to do my best,” and stay in the game mentally. “I couldn’t stop smiling because of how happy I was for our team.”

“Heading into the state championship, I knew we needed a strong performance in order to come out on top. Bonneville and Skyline both had the depth to go all the way,” Coach Pearson said. “Kennedee led the charge for our team with consistent play both days. She had four birdies on Day One and finished the day in second place, behind eventual medalist winner, Whitni Johnson.

Woods Cross held a nine-stroke lead after Day One and then up to 16 strokes heading into the back nine on Day Two. But with five holes to go in the state tournament, the Wildcats were up by just four strokes but then the key 15th hole ended up making a huge difference in the outcome. “As a team, we played the hole two-under-par and Bonneville was three-over-par. This gave us enough separation for our team to get it done,” Coach Pearson said. “Kennedee nearly made a 60 foot putt for eagle on hole 16, but settled for a tap-in birdie. Tess made a great up-and-down on hole 18 to solidify her par. When Kennedee had to punch out behind a tree on her second shot on hole 18, she knew a par would be an amazing score. She and I talked and we were both in agreement to aim at the center of the green to give her a chance at par. Her great third shot was eventually overtaken by the wind and what once was a ball that hit the green, had settled in the rough. When it came time to make her chip, Katelyn Norman – another member of our state team – said, ‘She’s going to make this.’ And make it she did! She chipped in to complete her round and high school career with a par save.”

“I think that the key for our team was staying in the round,” said Kennedee Pearson. “Even though we are all competing individually, at the end of the day we are a team and everyone’s efforts matter.”

“Tess provided consistent play for us Day One and helped created that 11-point Day One team lead. Her front nine on Day Two was exactly what we needed and then she got off to a slow start on the back nine, but finished strong on her last four holes to help create the buffer we needed,” Coach Pearson said. “Vivian had consistent play for us both days and perhaps helped course-correct the trimming of our lead by hitting a monstrous 265-yard drive on hole 15. In the end, her drive on this hole settled to about 12 feet from the pin. Although she didn’t make the eagle putt, the tap-in birdie was critical for us when we needed it most.”

“Focus helped us to continue to improve and stay in the game no matter how we were playing,” said Makenzie Pearson. “I also tried to keep a positive mindset and not let myself give up even when I hit a bad shot.”

“Makenzie is so new to tournament golf that she didn’t know what to expect from the state tournament,” Coach Pearson said. “Her solid contribution both days helped solidify our victory. She would describe herself as a nervous player, but I saw very little nerves over the two days and her scoring proved that. Her birdie on the 15th hole demonstrated her stepping up when we need it most.”

“Knowing that we could achieve helped build us up,” said Oaks. 

“Sometimes golf isn’t just about hitting the ball good, it’s about believing yourself and knowing you can hit the ball good because of the hard work you have put in,” said Poulsen.

Coach Pearson has been coaching the Woods Cross team – and his daughter Kennedee – since 2023 and this spring was also able to coach his daughter Makenzie in a bit of a family affair.

“I’m so lucky to have played with my sister this year and have my dad as my coach,” Kennedee said. “I’m glad he stepped in and got our program going so that we could earn the state title. We have always bonded over golf so it’s been fun to have him coach me during high school.”

“I'm really glad I got to play with my sister this year, especially because I can learn from her and push myself to become a better golfer like her,” said Makenzie Pearson. “My dad helped me improve a lot throughout the season, and he really is such an amazing coach.”

Kennedee plans to play collegiately and gives all the credit to her parents for helping her reach her goals on the course.

Also on the WXHS squad this year were Norman and Charli Judd who also competed at state for the Wildcats; Esme Cahoon, Bella Lakey and Rachel Wright who also played varsity this season; and Lille Benion, Jane Boynton, Savannah Enquist, Jane Lakey, Elle Nylander, Libby Phillips, Ellen Pugsley and Sadie Wray.

“I’d like to thank all of my teammates and coaches. My team was there to boost me up” Oaks said. “We have four seniors on our team, and they are truly the best people in the world.”

“Ever since stepping into the Woods Cross gym I noticed quickly that there was a banner for every sport with the exception of girls golf because we had never won anything,” said Poulsen. “So, the next time you step into our gym look up and see a banner with a region 5 title and a state championship! I was glad to be a part of it.”

Bountiful

Bountiful High’s Cambria Ohlson shot an 84 and 75 at the 5A state tournament to take seventh place overall individually. The Redhawks team did not make the cut to play on Day Two.