For The Tribune
Four boys received special recognition Monday during the Seymour golf team’s awards program at Shadowood Golf Course.
Brady Marshall’s name was called the most times by head coach Jim Hoffman.
During his junior season, Marshall posted the low 18-hole average for the Owls at 78. He received a plaque for setting the school record with his round of 67 in the Jennings County Invitational at St. Anne’s Golf Course.
Marshall, who averaged 41.1 strokes for nine holes, was a regional qualifier and received Hoosier Hills Conference honorable mention.
‘Senior leadership’
Ethan Ashley, the only senior on the team, received the sportsmanship award. He also earned his third varsity award.
“His senior leadership helped,” Hoffman said.
Ashley shot the lowest 18-hole score of his career with an 87 during the sectional at Bloomington.
Sophomore Noah Beaty was named the most improved. Hoffman said Beaty shot 135 in a tournament early in the season and scored 106 later in the season.
Keaton Simpson had the low nine-hole average at 41 strokes and averaged 80 for 18. The freshman also was a regional qualifier.
Other varsity lettermen were freshman Tyler Bullard and junior Brady Rinehart. Bullard’s nine-hole average was 42, while Rinehart averaged 49.
Learning experience
Hoffman said the season was a learning experience for him and assistant coach Tyler Lewis, since this was the first time either coached high school golf.
“It was great getting to know the boys,” Hoffman said. “We were young going out. We had freshmen playing the No. 2 and No. 3 spots the whole year, basically. They improved as they went along and missed qualifying for the regional by three strokes.”
The Owls shot 324 in placing fourth at sectional. Their best finish in a tournament was fifth in the Jennings County Invitational, and they placed seventh in the Hoosier Hills Conference Tournament in Columbus.
“We had some great finishes,” Hoffman said. “We shot a lot of 38s and 39s during the year. We tried to make it a team sport and kept it a team atmosphere. From start to finish, the season went pretty fast.”