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NP golfers holding strong against Danville and South Vermillion
DANVILLE -- The North Putnam boys' golf team started the week strong with two wins, beating Danville on Monday and South Vermillion on Tuesday.
The Cougars beat Danville 177-194 and South Vermillion 174-180.
While several NPHS golfers have failed to put it all together in recent weeks, the team is starting to show improvement as postseason play approaches.
"The team is finally improving on reaching fairways, striking greens in regulation and shaving down putts," NPHS coach Linda Patrick said, "and reaping the benefits of lower scores."
Austin Judy and Bennett Hazelgrove each led the Cougars in scoring on Monday, shooting 42s.
"Ben played his best game of the season with only 13 putts," Patrick said. "He has been working hard to constantly lower his scores."
Danny Smith shot a 43 for NPHS, followed by Jake Smith's 45 and Mason Asher's 47. Jake Holtze shot a 50 and Jon Willard had a 53.
"Danny Smith continues to be consistent with his scores and was able to have five greens in regulation for the night," Patrick said.
Several other Cougars were able to control their drives as well.
While the Danville meet was on its home course, NPHS traveled to Geneva Hills in Clinton for Tuesday.
"The Cougars have never played this course and all they knew about the course was that it was hilly and wide open," Patrick said. "At the completion of the meet, the players all agreed that it was one of the toughest courses they have played due to some hidden greens and a few tight entrances."
Judy was again medalist for NPHS, shooting another 42.
"Austin had a couple of errant tee shots, one on the last hole that cost him a double-bogie," Patrick said. "But once again, Austin's course management skills leads him back to still shooting a great game."
Asher and Danny Smith each shot 43s on Tuesday, Hazelgrove a 46, Jake Smith a 47 and Jake Holtze a 50.
"Mason, with the best fairway and GIR stats for the night, shot a strong 43," Patrick said. "Jake still needs to work out some problems with putting, as well as improving his par percentage. Jake is the youngest on the team and still needs a little more self-confidence in his game, which will come with more playing time.
"Overall, the team played very well, considering the conditions of the course and it being a new course to them."
With the County Tournament on Thursday and the West Central Conference Tournament on Friday, Patrick said the Cougars are going to have focus on how they can improve as individuals to shave their scores.
"Each player has the potential to shave over two-four strokes off their score card," Patrick said. "It is just getting that one magical meet when all the players shoot their best ever score."
The Putnam County Tournament is Thursday at Clover Meadows at 4:30 p.m., and the WCC meet is Saturday at Deer Creek at 11 a.m.