Center Grove’s Magnolia Miller is the Daily Journal’s Player of the Year in girls golf.
Daily Journal file photo
Magnolia Miller may as well have invited people to yell, punch car horns and wave their arms in the seconds leading up to each of her shots this season.
The Center Grove senior was straight down the middle more often than not anyway.
Sidelined early in the season after being injured in an automobile accident near the high school, the 5-foot fireplug proved remarkably consistent in leading a team that placed sixth at the state finals earlier this month.
Miller, who posted scores between 71 and 79 in all 10 of her 18-hole rounds this season, is the Daily Journal’s Player of the Year in girls golf.
The overall process was uncomfortably unconventional for Miller, who sat out five of her team’s competitions due to soreness and an inability to fully rotate her body as needed, but it proved incredibly rewarding.
“My back still isn’t fully healed yet,” said Miller, who finished her final prep season averaging an 18-hole score of 76.45, a number that included her carding a personal best 1-under-par 71 in the Hall of Fame Classic at The Legends Golf Club only 25 days after the Aug. 6 accident.
“I still played pretty well, so I’m proudest of how I overcame that situation. My mental game was a lot better this year, and that definitely helped. I just tried to stay confident and composed every time I went out.”
The lone returning starter from the 2023 CG squad that took fifth at state — Miller played No. 3 as a junior — she also shot a 1-over 72 at the Trojan Classic a week earlier at Hickory Stick.
Miller tied for 12th at state after closing her career with a 74-79—153 at Prairie View, and she fired 75s at both the Johnson County tournament and Franklin Regional, both at The Legends.
Miller would have loved an opportunity to play her season at 100%, but fate intervened.
“Magnolia had a very good season, but not the one we thought she’d have,” Center Grove coach Cale Hoover said. “She was never healthy after that accident, but she isn’t one to ever complain. She battled through it and still put some good rounds together.”
Miller, who has grown up enamored with crime-themed television shows, plans to major in criminal justice and play golf at Huntington University, an NAIA school.
The talent, fortitude and leadership she displayed the past few months will be missed, for sure, at Center Grove.
“I would say Magnolia has matured greatly from midway through last season, and was the leader of this group,” Hoover said. “She’s good with her peers, but very thoughtful with the younger players in our program.”
ALL-COUNTY TEAM
The 2024 All-County team for girls golf:
Addi Bright, Franklin junior: Individual medalist at county (72) and conference (69) … Shot 77 at sectional and 78 at regional … Tied for 39th at state with an 80-86—166, helping Grizzly Cubs place fifth overall … Averaged 78 strokes per 18 holes.
London Dodson, Center Grove senior: Averaged 84.08 per 18 holes for the Trojans … Posted scores of 75 at Johnson County tournament and 83 at sectional … Tied for 42nd at state finals with a 167 as Center Grove finished in sixth as a team.
Magnolia Miller, Center Grove senior: Tied for 12th individually at the state finals with a two-round total of 153 … Finished with an 18-hole average of 76.45 … Carded 75 at county, 78 at sectional and 75 at regional … Will play at Huntington University.
Reese Phillips, Franklin senior: Closed her career by helping Grizzly Cubs to a fifth-place state finish, shooting 161 to tie for 27th individually … Also posted scores of 74 at Hall of Fame and sectional tournaments, 77 at county and 79 at regional.
Lexi Ray, Franklin junior: Was at her best in the postseason, tying Miller for 12th at state with a 76-77—153 … Sectional medalist with an even-par 71, leading Franklin to its first title since 2005 … Shot 74 for regional champions … Averaged 75.9 per 18 holes.
Amanda Wallace, Center Grove senior: Finished her final varsity season with an even 83.00 average per 18 holes … Posted scores of 77 at county, 76 at sectional and 82 at regional … Posted a second-round 85 at state finals to help Trojans finish in sixth.
Honorable mention
Olivia Alvey, Center Grove; Madisyn Bell, Center Grove; Macie Blandford, Edinburgh; Morgan Brandt, GCA; Mia Hart, Franklin; Zoe Land, Center Grove; Cassidy Rucker, Franklin
