Greencastle's Bennett fulfills dream, qualifies for state golf finals

Thursday, June 7, 2018
Jake Bennett launches a drive on the back nine at Country Oaks on Thursday.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

MONTGOMERY — No matter what the sport, getting off to a good start in a competition helps provide a good foundation for success as well as building confidence for the remainder of the event.

Greencastle’s Jake Bennett did not take long to establish himself as one of the top players in the Washington Regional field on Thursday during a hot afternoon of competition at Country Oaks.

Bennett birdied two of the first three holes to get off to a great start, playing consistently the rest of the way to finish second overall with a one-under par total of 71.

Castle’s Adam Bratton, who will play collegiately at Georgia Tech, was the medalist with a 70.

Greencastle's Jake Bennett shoots for the green during Thursday's Washington Regional boys' golf tournament. Bennett shot a 71 to earn runnerup medalist honors and qualify for Tuesday's state finals at Carmel.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

The Tiger Cubs tied for eighth as a team and did not advance to the state finals, but Bennett’s score was the best among individuals not on advancing teams — qualifying the Marian University signee for next week’s state finals. He will be Greencastle’s first golf state finalist since Alec Davis in 2014.

Even though there were still 15 holes to play, Bennett knew he was in a groove early in the match.

“I knew it was going to be my day after the third hole, for sure,” Bennett said.

Bennett had a two on the par-three No. 2 hole, and followed that up with a three on the par-four No. 3 hole.

“On No. 2, I put it up there about 10 or 15 feet away from the hole and I made a good putt,” he said. “I made another longer putt for birdie on No. 3. I’m two under through three holes, and I gave myself a good cushion. My goal was 34 on the front, and I shot a 35.

Bennett noted two other distinguishing factors about his start to the round.

“It was good that I parred two and three, because No. 1 is a ‘birdie’ hole [where it’s easier than most to be under par], and I only got a par,” he said. “I normally don’t play the second hole of a round very well, so I got away with one there. I ended up making birdie on the third hole and I was pretty consistent after that.”

Bennett had only one bogey on the front nine, coming on hole No. 7.

“I hit a good tee shot,,” he said, “but I hit a bad second shot and left it short. The greens had been holding it pretty well, and I had a longer par putt and missed it.”

Bennett acknowledged that making the state finals was “definitely one of his goals” coming into high school, and he’s glad to be able to fulfill that desire in his final high school season.

“I’ve got that checked off my list,” he said. “My goal is to place in the top 10.”

Bennett is taking today off, and plans to do some tuneup work at Tiger Pointe this weekend in all phases of the game.

“We are going [to Prairie View in Carmel] on Monday for a practice round, and then we play Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Bennett hasn’t played at Prairie View before, but from what he has heard about the course he feels it suits his game well.

“It’s a little bit longer than most of the courses we play, which is good for my game,” he said. “You hit a lot of wedges there. I can’t wait to get there and play.”

Jaxon Parmley hits a tee shot on the back nine at Country Oaks on Thursday.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

Conner Taylor shot an 84 for the Tiger Cubs, while Jaxon Parmley had an 86, Kyle Tesmer had an 87 and Benton Parmley added a 97.

“Jake’s total game was on target the whole round with excellent driving, well-played iron shots, chipping and putting,” Greencastle coach Steve Paquin said. “Jake put all phases of the game together in a very well-played round.”

Paquin noted the other Tiger Cubs “played some excellent golf,” but suffered some double bogeys during their rounds.

“We scored 160 on the first nine and 168 on the back nine for 328,” he said. “We had some tough breaks on the back nine keeping the ball in bounds, and these penalties took their toll over the last few holes.”

Benton Parmley lines up a putt in the Washington Regional boys' golf tourney on Thursday.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

Paquin noted he is very proud of the accomplishments of his young team. Bennett is the only senior on the team, with Jaxon Parmley being the only junior. Taylor and Tesmer are both sophomores, and Benton Parmley is a freshman.

“Their accomplishments this year include three invitational victories, county, conference and sectional wins, 17 wins in dual, tri and quad matches with just one defeat for the season,” he said. “The future looks bright as four of five return for the 2019 season.”

South Putnam’s Tyler Hicks competed as an individual after an outstanding performance at last week’s sectional. He finished with a 43-42—85 and did not advance.

Team scores (top three advance) — 1. Evansville North 298,2. Evansville Memorial 309, 3. Castle 313, 4. Avon 314, 5. Plainfield 319, 6. Gibson Southern 321, 7. Speedway 325, 8. (tie) Greencastle 328, 8. (tie) Brownsburg 328, 10. South Knox 339, 11. Clay City 343, 12. Terre Haute North 343, 13. Terre Haute South 344, 14. Covenant Christian 347, 15. Seeger, 16. Park Tudor 360, 17. Pike Central 366, 18. Southmont 372.

Medalist — Adam Bratton (Castle) 70

State individual qualifiers (not from advancing teams) — Jake Bennett (Greencastle) 71, Peyton Snoeberger (Seeger 73), Isaac Rohleder (Evansville Mater Dei) 73, Kasey Lilly (Plainfield) 73, Jackson Franceville (Cascade).