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	CLARION LEDGER THURSDAY JULY 2 ,2009


	Itawamba prep star on summer hot streak Ally McDonald had a choice in the fall, before the Itawamba High golf season began. She could play with the girls or play with the boys. She chose the latter. "It helped me get prepared for summer golf," she said. It certainly did. McDonald, 16, has won four events this summer, none bigger than claiming medalist at a United States Golf Association regional qualifier on Monday in Tennessee. McDonald's even-par 72 qualified her for the USGA Junior Amateur Girls Championship, set for July 20-25 at Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey. McDonald will compete with 155 others ranging from age from 13-18 in what could be a five-day event. The top 64 from a 36-hole qualifier advance to match play, with two matches per day. Preparing for such an event is why McDonald chose to play on the boys team during her sophomore season at Itawamba, where she averaged a 78 from the boys' tees. With rounds of 80-82, McDonald beat 69 of the 81 boys at the MHSAA Class 4A state golf tournament - an event Itawamba won. "In a way, it's an advantage for me playing against the girls in the summer," she said. Sheila Haynes of Madison fired a career-low 7-under 65 on the first day and shot par the next day to win the 36-hole Jackson Women's Golf Association city championship at Brookwood Country Club. Haynes teamed with Teresa Dottley, Lori Jalbert and Donna Singletary to help Reunion Golf & Country Club win the team title.


	According to the May 2008 Golf Digest the most improved women golfer from the state of Mississippi was Nancy Robinson of Back Acres who went from a 22.9 index to 13.9 during 2007. Mary Lang Gallagher was the most improved Jr. who went from a 15.6 to 6.0.


	Pillow repeats as girls golf champions BY ROD WALKER RWALKER@CLARIONLEDGER.COM APRIL 29, 2009 Pillow Academy junior Mary Langdon Gallagher shot a 2-under par 70 at Patrick Farms Golf Club in Brandon to earn medalist honors as the Lady Mustangs repeated as Mississippi Private School Association girls golf champions. It's the second year that the MPSA has held a girls golf championship. "We were very thrilled to win it again," said Gallagher, the daughter of PGA golfer Jim Gallagher. "I played (at Patrick Farms) a bunch during the summer and that helps a lot and it's very familiar to me." Pillow finished 1-2-3 in individual honors. Sixth-grader Kathleen Gallagher (Mary Langdon's sister) and freshman Kristen Stephens shot 87 to tie for second, with Gallagher winning the tie-breaker. Jackson Academy (214) finished second and Marvell Academy (231) was third. The MHSAA will hold its girls golf championships Monday and Tuesday at Patrick Farms.