Cougar golf team looks focused in early rounds

ROACHEDALE -- The Cougar boys' golf team brings back a solid team of players with experienced golfers as well as a few newcomers. Seniors Danny Smith and Emmett Holsapple saw two new seniors with the addition of Aaron Green, who played as a freshman, and Travis Pearl who is totally new to the game of golf.

Juniors Austin Judy and Jake Holtze will be carrying the team experience along with sophomores Preston Porter and Logan Grim, and new sophomore Austin Wright.

Many pre-season practice days on the course that were battered by adverse weather and unfavorable course playing conditions didn't stop the Cougars from hitting the links and declaring two wins in the first week of the season.

Saturated courses, heavy and damp air, and some threat of rain continued to ensue as the Cougars hosted Rockville and Turkey Run at home on Monday and traveled Tuesday to Deer Creek to face Monrovia.

Without key player Danny Smith on Monday, the Cougars were able to come out on top with a score of 176. Austin Judy was medalist with a 39, followed by Jake Holtze shooting a 44, Preston Porter a 46 and Emmett Holsapple completing the score card with a 47. Other scores were Logan Grim with a 48 and Aaron Green with a 64.

"Aaron showed a lots of nerves for his first meet for the Cougars since his freshman year," NPHS coach Linda Patrick said. "But that will quickly change once he gets more focused."

At Deer Creek on Tuesday, still with lots of wet areas on the course, the North Putnam dropped its team score to a 168.

Jake Holtze and Austin Judy shared medalist score with 41. Danny Smith shot a 42 with Preston Porter following with 44.

Other scores for the meet were Emmett Holsapple carding a 48, Logan Grim a 53, Travis Pearl a 54, Aaron Green a 56 and Austin Wright a 68. "Several players still have some hard work in front of them to improve their scores but it is early in the season yet and they will become more focused," Patrick said.

The Cougars will be playing in the Danville Invitational at Twin Bridges on Saturday, April 18 with starting tee time at 8:30 a.m.