Seymours Lainey Jackson watches her shot during the sectional Sept. 18 at Otis Park Golf Course in Bedford. Jackson has been named The Tribunes Girls Golfer of the Year.

Greg Jones | For The Tribune

Lainey Jackson had another excellent season of playing golf for the Seymour Owls.

This fall, she filled the No. 1 position throughout the season and carried averages of 42.9 for nine holes and 89.7 for 18.

She won the Bedford North Lawrence Sectional by five strokes with an 84 to help the Owls advance to the Washington Regional, where they placed 13th.

The junior earned all-Hoosier Hills Conference honorable mention by shooting an 87 to place eighth individually at Shadowood Golf Course.

Jackson was named Seymours most valuable player for the second straight year during the awards program held last week at Shadowood.

For all of her accomplishments, she has seen named The Tribunes Girls Golfer of the Year.

I like that you kind of have to rely on yourself, know that you have to do better and that you have to come out and practice every day, she said. I like meeting new people all around and getting to connect with them throughout the whole season with people everywhere.

The Owls play their home matches at Shadowood.

I like the front nine better, she said. Her best nine-hole score there has been a 40, and her best 18-hole round was the 87 she shot in the HHC.

Every hole, I try to think about where I need to be to get the best score, Jackson said. Sometimes, it doesnt go as planned with the first shot. You have to change what youre going to do every time. Its not going to be the same every time, so thats another challenge of the game.

Seymour coach Jim Hoffman said Jackson is very deserving of the honor.

Sectional medalist was really huge. Its a nice individual accomplishment, he said. It helped our team immensely. For her to do that and win by five strokes on a tough day was outstanding. That was a great day for her. She played under control, did her thing, didnt let anything bother her. Her mental side has really grown as she has matured. I could see a big difference from her freshman year to now.

She doesnt let much bother her now. If she shoots a bad score, she gets down and she gets right back up. The next hole is really crucial if you have a bad hole. She has really eliminated the big numbers.

He said her experience on golf courses paid off this fall.

You could see the last couple years coming through for her mentally as the season progressed this year. I see really big things from her next year. Lainey hits the ball a long way. She drives the ball long enough that shes got shots that are fairly easy for her, Hoffman said. What she worked on hard was putting. That really helped her at the end of the season. When she struggled, she struggled putting. When she putted well, she shot well. She got up and down, and when her chipping got better, her putting got a lot better.

Jackson said her favorite away course is Country Oaks near Montgomery, where the regional is played. She has advanced with the team to the regional three straight years.

Its really challenging, and I just like a good challenge, she said.

She enjoys playing the No. 1 position.

I try not to think about beating the other person. I just try to play my best and get my best score, she said. In the end, I like to know if I beat them or not because its competition. When Im out there, Im not thinking how Im compared to them.

Jackson also thought her putting improved this fall, and it helped pick her up because her driving wasnt as strong as it usually is.

My driving wasnt as good as past years, so I had to pick it up with my putting, my short game, so I have a lot to work on this summer. My irons were good this year. My putting was probably one of my best things this year, Jackson said. Practice is really important, and you have to make sure youre taking care of your body, too, after matches and stuff and that youre resting because it takes on your mental and physical health.

Other members of the all-county team:

Payton Ault, Brownstown Central (senior) Was Braves medalist three times and runner-up four times, averaged 46 (9) and 96.8 (18), all-conference three times, mental attitude winner two times.

Hannah Hackman, Brownstown Central (senior) One-time all-MSC, one-time all-MSC honorable mention, two-time mental attitude award winner.

Lexie Satterthwaite, Brownstown Central (senior) Medalist four times, runner-up twice, averaged 47 (9) and 102.4 (18), three-time all-MSC.

Phoebe Skidmore, Seymour (junior) Averaged 48.9 (9) and 101 (18).

Liza Stuckwisch, Seymour (junior) Most improved, averaged 49 (9) and 99 (18).

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Seymour's Jackson headlines all-county team as The Tribune's Girls Golfer of the Year - Seymour Tribune