Southmont boys golf wasn’t going to let history repeat itself. The Mounties remember how last year’s county meet went where they fell to Crawfordsville. That not only gave the Athenians the county title, but also their first county chase championship. Thursday on their home course at the Crawfordsville Country Club, Southmont got redemption by firing a 337 to re-gain the county crown. And just like a year ago, the county golf meet also decided whether the Athenians or Mounties would take home the coveted County Chase Trophy. With South’s win they earned their fourth overall Chase Title with 53 points to Cville’s 51.
North Montgomery took second place overall by besting Crawfordsville by just two strokes with the Chargers carding a 354 to the Athenians 356.
Southmont has been looking for four consistent scores for a majority of the spring and coach Bill Whalen’s did just that on Thursday. Freshman Austin Foley earned co-medalist honors with an 82. Senior Nolan Allen finished right behind Foley with an 83 while Luke Tesmer and Harrison Haddock both ended with 86’s.
“First thing I’d like to say is I’d really like to thank Rocky Ridge, the Crawfordsville Municipal Golf Course, and the Country Club for allowing all three of our county teams to have a course that they can call their home,” Whalen stated. “We’re very fortunate for that because a lot of the time with some teams that’s not the case. With that being said I don’t think there’s more of a home field advantage in high school sports than there is with golf. The only constant is the hole that the ball rolls into. It’s a huge advantage and we were fortunate to be able to play on our home course.”
While the Mounties do celebrate the county title there was cause for concern that happened during the meet with their standout freshman in Foley. Foley was able to still earn co-medalist after suffering a wrist injury. With the sectional being next Friday, Whalen knows what not having Foley in the lineup would mean.
“I’m pretty concerned about it,” Whalen said openly. “With the sectional on the horizon that’s not what you want to have happen because he’s such an important piece to this team and our chances of advancing to the Regional.”
North Montgomery was led Neal Jeffery who ended the night shooting an 84. Drew Norman carded an 88 to finish second for the Chargers. Hayden Turner shot a 90 while Alex Chapman rounded out the scoring with a 92.
Charger coach Bob Ryker kept it short and sweet after the meet.
“We’re going back to work and we will be ready for sectional,” The second-year Charger coach said. The Chargers were coming off their first Sagamore Conference title in school history with a season best 322 just two weeks ago.
Cville, despite the third place finish, managed to still shoot a season best with their 356. Sophomore Tanner Gilland’s 82 earned him co-medalist with Foley. Hayden Jeffries shot a 90 to go along with Thomas Bowling’s 91. Carter Truax rounded out the scoring for the Athenians with a 93.
Cville coach Tom Perkins was once again pleased with his group as they continue to play some of their best golf with the post-season just around the corner.
“I’m happy with where we are right now as a team,” Perkins said. “We got good help from our 3-5 guys who were all in the low 90’s. I think we served notice that we’re not going to go down quietly. Our goal now is to make it as a team out of the Regional. That goal is within reach if we keep working at it which I know these guys will.”
The County Chase title for the Mounties is their fourth in the eight year history of the traveling trophy. All four of those titles have come in the last five years. The Mounties along with some of their other athletes were on hand to when they were awarded the trophy.
“It feels a little extra rewarding this year because we know how last year ended with it coming down to us and we didn’t get the job done,” Whalen said. “You hate to let Southmont athletics down but I’m proud of the kids for getting it done for their school.”
All three county teams will now shift their focus to the sectional which will take place next Friday at Harrison Hills Golf Club in Attica. The top three teams along with the top three individuals will advance to the Regional.
