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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

Chilton County High School’s Ella Young and Isabella High School’s Danielle Gilliland have advanced to the 2022 AHSAA girls golf sub-state round.

Gilliland, the lone senior and sectional qualifer on the Mustangs golf team, shot a 130 at Highland Park Golf Club in Birmingham on April 25 to earn the last individual spot in the Class 1A/3A, section 2 group.

“Danielle may be the only one to make sectionals, but the rest of them are ninth and tenth graders,” Isabella coach Derrick Littleton said following the Chilton County Tournament earlier in April.

Gilliland hopes her success in her last season on the course for Isabella leaves a lasting impression on the younger players.

Young used her past experience at the sectional tournament last season to her advantage to earn a spot in the sub-state this year. The freshman shot an 89 to finish a comfortable 13 strokes ahead of the individual qualifier cut.

“I can’t say enough great things about Ella, last year coming up just short and qualifying this year is impressive,” CCHS coach Paul Dubose said.

Young is the second girl in CCHS golf history to make the sub-state round. Young used a solid back nine to punch her ticket to Mobile.

“Going into (sectionals), I was really nervous because I was so close last year,” Young said. “I did not want to disappoint anyone, but like halfway through I knew I had it.”

Young has benefitted from the different practice approaches Dubose has given the Tigers squad this year. Specific drills and constant reps were a big point of emphasis for the Tigers.

“A lot of the chipping and putting drills we did really helped,” Young said. “Just being on the range helps, even when you’re hitting and having fun you are still learning through it.”

Young handles herself with confidence on the golf course, and she said “I am looking forward to meeting the other players and seeing how they play. I’m a little nervous, but I think I can do pretty well.”