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Tiger Cubs say goodnight to Vikings
One thing a golfer normally doesn't stow in their bag is a flashlight, but one would have come in handy Thursday at Windy Hill. The host Tiger Cubs defeated West Vigo 159-218 under a veil of darkness in a match the last for four hours.
In just their second match of the season, Greencastle gave head coach Donovan Wheeler close to what he had expected. He knows that this season could shape up to be a trying one early, but believes that when his top four gel, good things will follow.
"Well, I saw what I felt was going to be the running story all year, which is four golfers on the varsity who are really are playing at a pretty significant level above the rest of the team," Wheeler said. "It's no secret that those four are going to have to lean on each other. It's one of those deals where, tonight it was Wade (Huber), Saturday it will be somebody else and then next week it will be someone else.
"It's one of those things where hopefully we'll get lucky every now and then and all four will click at the same time, but at the same time, it's sort of the hand we're dealt," he continued.
"I'm just excited because I know we'll have that day. I know sooner or later we'll have that day when they all four click and it will be a lot of fun," Wheeler said.
The night began under a beautifully blue April sky, with senior Luke Crimmins and freshman Brad Haussin teeing off first for GHS. A birdie from Crimmins on the opening hole foretold what was in store for the Tiger Cubs on the night.
Greencastle was able to utilize strong tee shots and a deft short game to keep their scores low. Crimmins added a nice up and down out of the sand at No. 7.
Haussin and fellow frosh Jimmy Wheeler paced the Greencastle effort with a pair of 37s. Crimmins followed with a 40, while Huber rounded out the scoring with a 45. Tyler Hopkins carded a 48 in the Tiger Cubs' five slot.
The blue sky had faded to black, but the darkness couldn't conceal Wheeler's optimistic smile. The head coach commented that he was extremely optimistic with the scores posted under the conditions. He also noted that he is keeping an eye on his No. 5 slot and seeing who will rise to the challenge and battle Hopkins for the spot.
Wheeler again spoke about the team finding a way to come together and get on the same page at the same time. For the head coach it all boils down to one simple factor.
"Confidence, it's all confidence," Wheeler acknowledged. "Right now we're at a point where our confidence with a couple golfers has been shaky. Confidence bleeds into your technique and if you develop one technical flaw, it kind of domino effects everything else and that's sort of where we are at the moment."
Greencastle will travel to Edgewood Saturday to compete in the Mustang Invite at 1:50 p.m.
At Greencastle
Greencastle 159, West Vigo 218
Medalist -- Haussin (GHS) 37, Wheeler (GHS) 37
Greencastle -- Haussin 37, Wheeler 37, Crimmins 40, W. Huber 45, Hopkins 48
West Vigo -- Feasel 49, Thomason 50, Leek 59, Garrett 60, Blystone 66
Next match -- The Tiger Cubs will compete at the Mustang Invite Saturday at 1:50 p.m. at Edgewood.