For The Tribune
Parker Criswell shot a career-low 75 to capture medalist honors, and spark the Trinity Lutheran golf team to the title in the annual Cougar Invitational at Shadowood Golf Course on Saturday.
Criswell, a senior who has played at No. 1 for the Cougars this spring, shot even par on the front nine and was three over on the back. He was the only golfer to break 80.
“Parker had his lowest score of his career,” Cougars coach Greg Personett said after handing Criswell his first place trophy. “He’s starting to come into it.”
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The Cougars shot 337 on the day and North Decatur got second with 345. Oldenburg Academy was third with 399, and the Trinity ‘B’ team notched fourth with 405.
This marks the third-straight year the Cougars have won the tournament, and Personett said he is pleased with their improvement.
“That is definitely our low score for the year,” he said. “The kids played well, the course played excellent today.
“Cory (Stuckwisch), Drew (Royalty) and Chad (Stuckwisch) are definitely starting to play well. Skylar (Stahl) is playing well. Our team is starting to put things together, short game, long game. It’s perfect timing.”
Doug Lecher of North Decatur was second medalist totaling 80, and Chad Stuckwisch earned third medalist with 81.
Cory Stuckwisch finished next with 87 and Stahl shot 94.
Jonathan Keith was low for Trinity’s “B” team shooting a 92 and Clayton Pottschmidt shot 94.
Crothersville also competed with three golfers.
Tyler Luedeman was low for the Tigers totaling 93, and coach Andy Smith said he liked the way all three of his golfers improved during the day.
“We had a rough start after prom and everything,” Smith said. “I think as the day went on, Tyler, on the back nine, really picked it up. He went from a 50 on the front to a 43 on the back. He was playing about where he should on the back.
“Parker (Adams) showed consistency today. He had a 51 on the front and a 52 on the back, and I’m really happy about that. Conner (Adams) hit a lot of good shots. He’s still trying to find his swing and everything. He’s a first-year golfer and this was his first 18-hole match, so it was a new experience for him. For what it was I thought he did all right.”
As the season starts to wind down, the Cougars will be at their busiest.
“We’ve practiced a lot,” he said. “We have a lot of matches in the middle part of the season and in May. Now we’ll be playing two, three matches a week, and I think it will pay off in the end. They’re start to hit their numbers. I’m really happy they are playing really well.”
The Cougars will play host to Salem today, and the Tigers will be back in action Tuesday against South Central at Chariot Run.