Something about No. 17 seems to lift Lauren Slatton’s spirits at McMinnville Country Club. The junior superstar again turned heads Tuesday, taking the low medalist award in the Keith Maxwell Invitational held locally.

Slatton shot an even par, 72 to hold off Cookeville Daniella Pryor and Tullahoma’s Gracie Hicks, who both shot 3-over, 75. It wasn’t an easy win for Slatton though, especially when she started off slow, but No. 17 – a tough Par 3 that traditionally is a hole golfers just try to survive – helped Warren County’s ace thrive.

“It started out really rough. I was 5-over through six holes on the back,” said Slatton, who started play on No. 11. “It turned around when I birdied No. 17. After that, I got three birdies in a row at No. 17, No. 18 and No. 1.

“I also was able to end with three more birdies in a row on Nos. 8, 9 and 10.”

Just like a week prior, when Slatton was the top scorer in a matchup with Cookeville and the district champ Lady Cavs, the birdie on No. 17 got her rolling. She’s found a way to tame one of the course’s premier holes, which has golfers hitting blind at a green which is elevated over 100 feet above the tee box.

Slatton has now posted the top female score in four events in a row for Warren County, including topping strong fields in the Keith Maxwell and Red Raider Invitational on Aug. 24 at Willowbrook. Slatton is hoping to make it three state tournament appearances in a row later this season.

In boys action, scores were cut to just 15 holes as rain forced the event to be stopped before all golfers could complete their full round. Leading the way for Warren County was Chase Newby with a 64, while Sawyer Seymour shot 68.

“I had a rough start, but was able to pull together a decent round by finishing strong on the back,” said Newby, who noted he was 5-under through four holes before steadying himself. “I just flipped a switch and made a lot of pars.”

Seymour added, “I started hot, but finished bad. I think my best hole was an eagle on No. 3.”

After a big drive on the Par-5, No. 3, Seymour was able to use a 4-iron to reach the green and sink the putt for a big eagle early Tuesday.

Warren County placed third as a team with a score of 283. Adding to the group score was Chase Boley (72) and Isaac Cantrell (74).

Cookeville claimed the top team spots in both the girls and boys events. Cavalier senior Joseph Agee shot 58 through 15 holes to claim the low medalist for the boys.