The growth in prep golf for girls has improved so much that this will mark the final season they will compete with the boys.

This morning, the Mississippi High School Activities Association held its girls state tournament at Patrick Farms Golf Course in Pearl. At least 67 girls were entered in the tournament and Warren Central golf coach Jesse Johnson feels the final number may approach 75.

&#8220The tournament has grown so much that next year, the girls will be able to compete independent of the boys,” Johnson said.

The first girls-only state tournament was played in 2005 at Clear Creek Golf Course in Bovina and had a field of 22 players.

Last year, the field grew to 36 and was played at Patrick Farms. The continued growth this season has been a good surprise for former Clear Creek pro Kathy Hester.

&#8220It’s been more than I could hope for. It’s been fantastic,” said Hester, who lobbied the Mississippi High School Activities Association for the all-girls tournament.

Johnson says his Lady Vikes’ golf team has improved every year, much like the size of the field.

&#8220We started two years ago with about eight or 10 girls being interested,” Johnson said. &#8220In that time, three of the girls have cut nearly 20 strokes off their game. They started out in the 120s and now they are regularly coming in at 95.”

The three Lady Vikes who have broken the 100-stroke mark this season are Kristine Fischenich, Julie Waddle and Molly Beth Jourdan. Rounding out the team are Carra Channel and Amber Hollingsworth.

&#8220We’ve been able to compete in seven events this season. Five have been tournaments and two others were matches. What has helped bring in more girls teams is we only count the top two scorers to make a team score for the girls unlike four for the boys,” Johnson said.

Warren Central will be one of 14 or 15 teams competing for the team title.

Wesson and Madison Central will provide two of the top medalist contenders.

&#8220There is a girl at Wesson who averages nearly 74 per round and Walter Payton’s niece is a scratch golfer. Those two should be at the top,” Johnson said.

Vicksburg High’s Mary Alyce Charito will compete as an individual.