Tiger Cub golfers best Cougars, Athenians

CRAWFORDSVILLE -- The Greencastle and North Putnam golf squads battled with Crawfordsville Tuesday night. The Tiger Cubs won with a total of 163 and the Cougars were second with 168.

Leading the way for GHS was senior Eric Davis, who shot medalist low 39. Wade Huber and Jacob Collins both shot 41, while Luke Crimmins added a 42 and Nick Pritchard shot a 43. Jim Wheeler and Tyler Wade both carded 46.

"Eric felt mixed about his round," GHS head coach Donovan Wheeler said. "He was striking the ball very well, but he had trouble getting the putts to fall. Nonetheless, his improved ball-striking is a wellspring for some much-needed confidence.

"I'm glad Jacob was there to fill in the gap when Nick and Jim struggled. He plays his best when he just goes with the flow and takes what his swing gives him. He actually strikes the ball very well and shows very good touch around the greens when he's not thinking about it," Wheeler said.

For North Putnam, it was Patrick Byrd leading the charge with a 40. Austin Malayer shot a 2 and Jeremy Redman and Aaron Vondersaar both shot 43. J.J. Burns came to the clubhouse with a 46 and Kyle Smith shot a 50.

Cougar coach Dave Fox said his team can do better than Tuesday's performance, but said their county rivals also have better golf in them.

"I felt like North Putnam played absolutely terrible, but I didn't think Greencastle played anywhere like they can either," Fox said.

Wheeler addressed the team's putting issues and noted that their home greens are much more slick than greens on the road. A fact that has given the Tiger Cubs fits all season long.

"Normally, teams at home on fast greens have a better time adjusting to slower speeds than vice-versa. Obviously, we need to improve our ability to make those adjustments," Wheeler commented.

Greencastle will travel to Cascade to face the Cadets and Monrovia at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, while North Putnam travels to Eminence at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

At Crawfordsville

Greencastle 163, North Putnam 168, Crawfordsville 171

Medalist -- Davis (GHS) 39

Greencastle -- Davis 39, Huber 41, Collins 41, Crimmins 42, Pritchard 43, Wheeler 46, Wade 46.

North Putnam -- Byrd 40, Malayer 42, Redman 43, Vondersaar 43, Burns 46, Smith 50.

Crawfordsville -- Newton 41, Tarter 41, Bayless 44, Summer 45, Summer 45, Summer 46, Sparrow 47.

Next match -- Greencastle will travel to Cascade to face the Cadets and Monrovia at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, while North Putnam travels to Eminence at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.