MOREHEAD No one had any doubts about her ability when she teed off at a pro tournament in June.
Briar Ridge Country Club, in Schererville, Ind., hosted a U.S. Open qualifying tournament, and the top two finishers secured an invitation to the game’s third major at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Athena Singh, a recent Rowan County graduate, carded a 147 over two rounds, good for second place and a date to compete with the world’s best players on the biggest stage in golf.
Singh brings star power to the University of Houston golf team this fall, and no stage is too big for her because her presence on the links already makes it a big stage.
She’s a four-time Region 12 winner, a KHSAA state champion, finishing nine strokes clear of the runner-up, a former Kentucky Miss Golf, a multiple winner on the American Junior Golf Association circuit, including the 2022 and 2025 Bluegrass Junior at Bellefonte County Club, and earned All-Area Player of the Year honors three consecutive times by The Daily Independent.
Singh is a four-time USGA girls qualifier and last year was in the top 10 in stroke play. Athena was a 2025 USGA four-ball national championship runner-up.
Singh adds one more recognition. The newspaper named her the 2025-26 Tony Curnutte Memorial Female Sportsman of the Year.
“Athena has always been someone to lead by example,” Rowan County coach Jon Stacy said last fall to The Daily Independent. “Her work ethic, determination, and lunch-pail approach are something others can’t help but notice, especially when it comes from a player of her caliber. This is something that others, teammates, and girls throughout the state alike cannot help but notice and aspire to be like.”
Singh bested 11 professionals in the Open qualifier to solidify her spot in the biggest tournament in golf. She was one of only three golfers to shoot an under-par round, with a 70 after the first 18 holes.
Professional Paula Reto of South Africa won the event with a 140.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda won her first U.S. Open during the first weekend in June. Singh, on her first trip to a professional major, didn’t make the cut but ended her week with a stellar 3-over-par 74 on that Friday.
Stacy said that Singh is very deserving of the success and accolades that have come her way.
“Athena is an exceptional golfer and young lady,” Stacy said. “She is extremely dedicated to everything she does in life. I couldn’t be more proud of her. Many people know her for her golf course performance, which is great. However, I know her for the selfless, tremendous person she is on and off the course.”
Singh put more eyes and emphasis on the game and the area high school greens. She was an inspiration to her teammates and respected opponents.
“Athena is not only a fantastic golfer but also an awesome person,” Boyd County coach Missy Kennedy said. “I always enjoyed it when (my daughter and former Boyd County golfer) Morgan got paired with her due to her level-headed mannerisms and her short game skills.
“It was a pleasure to watch such great talent,” she added. “It was great to have someone from Region 12 bring attention to eastern Kentucky for girls golf. It is very dominated in central Kentucky these days. There are so many great young golfers here in our area, and I hope they saw how hard Athena worked to get to the next level, and we can keep girls golf growing!”
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