Cougar golf in action over Easter weekend

With temperatures in the 70's, sunny, and little wind, the North Putnam golf team got off to a good start in its season at the Danville Invitational on Saturday, April 19.

The first two meets of the regular season had to be re-scheduled due to weather but the Cougars took the opportunity to work hard on their skills and game in preparation for the invitational.

Facing very respected and experienced teams from Brownsburg, Terre Haute North, Terre Haute South, Fishers, Mooresville, and Pike, the Cougars managed to place fifth in a field of 15 teams, beating both Terre Haute teams and Pike.

Shooting a 338, they were only 13 strokes off of first place finisher Mooresville, shooting a 325.

Being early in the season, there are still many tweaks that need to be made by everyone, especially in chipping and putting, to get scores to where are they are needed.

Missed Cougar opportunities and then ending up four putting, too many penalties and water balls, being too quick on short putts, and perhaps a little impatience on shots that should have been given more thoughtful thinking, are all things that are quick to recover in the game.

Overall, the team exhibited poise and control of their game. Danny Smith had few poor shots and had to scramble some but ended up shooting an 81.

Ben Hazelgrove had some problems controlling his tees shots but his short game was strong enough to score an 83. Austin Judy struggled at the start but was able to pull in some good shots by scrambling as well, shooting an 86. Even though Jake Smith shot an 88, he had perhaps shot one of his best rounds mentally.

Mason Asher started off with some bad shots and penalties and could never recover his game, shooting a 98.

Coach Patrick and Assistant Coach Judy were pleased with the boy's effort, being the first real meet of their season.

However, they both agree that the boys put a lot more pressure on themselves than the coaches did.

This is a part of the golf game that needs to be improved upon throughout the season fo.

Junior Danny Smith hit the course running in the first Cougar home golf meet of the year Monday. What generally comes near the end of a good season has come early for Smith.

With golf meets being cancelled in the first week of regular season, Smith used his extra practice times to hone his skills to break the record at North Putnam.

With three birdies, six pars, six fairways in regulation, seven greens in regulation, and 13 putts, Smith set the new nine hole record at Twin Bridges with a score of 33.

JJ Burns held the school record since 2007 when he shot a 34 at Old Hickory. Smith also was the low man in the Danville Invitational on Saturday shooting an 81.

Along with Smith setting a new school record, the team shot a 159, which is the lowest team score ever under Coach Linda Patrick. Coach Patrick stated that since 2012, the team has dropped their team scores 10-12 strokes at the start of each new season.

"As players continue to practice in the off season and all players returning for the next season, this makes our team more consistent for the year," Patrick said. "Everyone knows what to expect out of each of their teammates and this helps the team stay focused on their goals."

The win was an all team effort.

Cougar players Hazelgrove, Judy, and Jake Holtze all shot great scores of 42, which contributed to the team score of 159.

Asher shot a 43, Preston Porter shot a 45, Jake Smith shot a 46, Emmett Holsapple shot a 49, and Tyler Martin shot a 54. The final score of the meet was NP 159, Tri-West 225.

The next golf meet for the Cougars will be the Southmont Invitational on Saturday, April 26.

At Twin Bridges G.C. Saturday

Medalist: Luke Kelly (73) Brownsburg

1 Mooresville 325

2 Brownsburg 326

3 Northview 329

4 Fishers 331

5 North Putnam 338

6 Terre Haute South Vigo 341

7 Greenfield-Central 352

8 Terre Haute North Vigo 359

9 Pike

10 Cloverdale 369

11 Southmont 380

12 Danville 386

13 Crawfordsville 389

14 North Montgomery 453

15 Monrovia 508

At Twin Bridges G.C. Monday

North Putnam 159 Tri-West 225

Medalist: Danny Smith (33) NP

North Putnam: D. Smith 33, Hazelgrove 42, Holtze 42, Judy 42, Asher 43, Porter 45, J. Smith 46, Holsapple 49, Martin 54