South Warren freshman Faith Martin quickly went from celebration to heartache during Saturday’s Leachman Buick/KHSAA Girls’ State Golf Tournament at Bowling Green Country Club.

Moments after appearing to finish in the top five of the state, Martin was disqualified due to signing her card for an incorrect score, an error that Martin reported to KHSAA officials after a discussion with her father when she realized she miscounted her shots on one of her holes.

Without the disqualification, Martin would have finished tied for fourth with a two-day total of 152.

“It’s tough,” Martin said. “I know I played solid so … it was the right thing to do. There wasn’t any other option.”

Martin’s disqualification was similar to a disqualification that cost Emma Talley the state title in 2009. Talley, a professional golfer currently playing on the Symetra Tour, went on to win the next two state titles to finish with three individual state titles in her prep career.

“I look up to Emma Talley,” Martin said. “We both take lessons from the same swing coach. That gives me some confidence for next season.”

Martin started slow Saturday, shooting 5-over par on the front nine before rallying for even par on the final nine holes. She said her game in general was kind of falling apart on the front nine but she was able to regroup to finish strong.

“It took me a while to get in the groove,” Martin said. “I talked to myself and said I needed to get it together and get a good score. I wish I had made that last putt for par (on the 18th hole), but the back nine was solid.”

Barren County’s Jill Florence and Greenwood’s Allison Wheeler were the highest local finishers – tying for 38th with a two-day score of 168.

Wheeler, playing in her first state tournament after winning the region tournament last week, said the windy conditions made it difficult Saturday.

“The first day was very nerve-racking but I got over it – actually, no, I did not get over it,” Wheeler said. “It’s a lot of fun and I was really excited when I made the cut. That was my biggest goal and I did that. I didn’t play well today, but I will get them next year.

“Winning the region championship made me realize that I could play here and that I can compete. Getting here is just so nerve-wracking, but next year I’ll get it.”

Florence was the highest finisher for Barren County, which finished 11th as a team with a two-day score of 714. The Trojanettes, who finished 10th as a team last year, entered the day ninth but fell back, marking the end of the prep careers for Florence, Mikayla Wyatt and Cortney Withrow. This was the fourth straight team trip to the state tournament for the three seniors, the first four times in school history the Barren County girls’ team qualified for the state tournament.

“It’s been fun and I am proud of those kids,” Barren County coach Duane Withrow said. “I know they probably didn’t play the way they wanted to today, but they did what they wanted to – we made it here and qualified for the second round. I think that is a great accomplishment. I know our seniors are not having a great day, but I’m still proud of them. They have been tremendous. They are not only good golfers, but they are great kids. I think their best golf is in front of them and I know our younger kids have learned a lot from them.”

Sacred Heart pulled off the double, winning the team championship with senior Ryan Bender claiming the individual title.

Bender, tied for the lead going into the day, shot a 5-over 77 and finished with a two-day score of 148 – one shot better than teammate Taylor Edin and Elizabethtown’s Sarah Hinton. Bender clinched the title with a three-foot par putt on 18.

“The state championship is something I have wanted since I was a little girl,” Bender said. “Just to be over that putt and knowing I had a chance at it meant everything to me. It’s something I will never forget.

“I would take a team championship any day over an individual championship, but to have both is an incredible feeling.”

For the team, it was Sacred Heart’s second straight title and sixth in seven years. The Valkyries finished with a team score of 617, 36 shots better than runner-up Scott County.

The wins had extra meaning for Sacred Heart coach Leslie Bender, Ryan Bender’s mother.

“Obviously that was the dream situation, to have a team and individual championship,” an emotional Leslie Bender said. “There is nothing you want more as a parent than for your child to do that, and as a coach for your players – to have them finish 1-2 – it’s awesome.”{&end}