WEST LAFAYETTE -Montgomery County high school golf teams had their seasons come to an end Friday at the IHSAA regional held at Coyote Crossing Golf Club in West Lafayette. North Montgomery failed to advance as a team nor did any individual golfers move on.
North Montgomery fielded a full team due to finishing third in the sectional. However stiff competition and a very challenging course was too much for the Chargers to overcome as the team shot a 387.
“This regional is arguably the toughest one in the state,” Charger coach Bob Ryker said. “The teams are very good and a lot of the top individuals are here. We are just not at their level yet.”
The Chargers were led, as they have been all season, by junior Neal Jeffery who carded an 89. Other Charger scores were junior Rohen Barnes 90, senior Alex Chapman 97 and junior Becket Martin 111. Junior Kelby Harwood scored 112.
“Our guys battled under some extreme conditions,” Ryker added. “I am happy with the way the team progressed. If you had told me at the beginning of the season that we would be playing in the regional I would not have believed it. We had two guys coming back and we had to find three. If our guys put in the work, we can be pretty good next year. I am extremely proud how they progressed all season long.”
Southmont sophomore Austin Foley had the best county score by shooting an 83.
Mountie Coach Bill Whalen was not disappointed with his player’s effort.
“Coyote is not an easy course and the wind made it a tough day,” Whalen said. “Austin played well and I fully believe he has the talent to get to the state finals in the next couple of years. We need to work on his game at 100 yards-in and putting.”
Crawfordsville junior Tanner Gilland shot an 89. Athenian coach Tom Perkins complimented Gilland on his effort the entire day.
“Tanner didn’t have his best stuff, but, from his first tee-off until the last putt on the 18th hole, Tanner kept battling all day,” Perkins said. “The conditions were windy and the greens were lightning fast and Tanner just kept on playing golf. I am extremely proud of the way he played and handled adversity.”
Of the seven Montgomery County players involved in the regional only one will not return.
North Montgomery’s Chapman saw his high school career come to a close on Friday. Ryker had a lot to say about Chapman who will be attending Indiana State University next year to study business.
“Alex is a great leader and just a great kid,” Ryker said. “I am going to miss him. I could care less what he scores. He is smart with a great attitude. The other players will miss him too.”
All three county teams have reason to be excited since the majority of their teams will be returning setting up some good county battles next year.
