In a match where both teams struggled to find any kind of rhythm, the squad that minimized its mistakes came out on top.
Trinity Lutheran’s boys golf team combined for 199 strokes to beat Brownstown Central (210) on Monday at Shadowood Golf Course.
Both Trinity coach Greg Personett and Braves head Brandon Allman were less than pleased with the final numbers on the sunny afternoon.
“I think there were several things going on,” Personett said. “We had a big weekend with prom (on Friday) and a tournament (in Hope) on Saturday, and I think it caught up to us. It seemed like we lacked focus. It was ugly, but we won.”
Both coaches said it was tough to play through the rough.
“It was just a struggle,” Allman said. “We struggled with the rough and playing on the greens. They were complaining about the greens being too fast, but a good player loves a fast green.”
The Braves’ Brayton Hattabaugh, coming off a big weekend, was medalist by carding a 10-over-par 46. Hattabaugh scored a 74 on Saturday to finish eighth of 90 golfers at the Bloomington North Invitational.
“It just shows that hard work pays off,” Allman said of Hattabaugh. “He’s on the golf course all the time and put in a lot of effort.”
Jalen Curry carded a 49, while teammates Cole Forrest, Chayse Shell and Lucas VonDielingen all shot 58s for the Braves.
Jacob Keith led Trinity with a 47. Ryland Nierman shot 49, Noah Criswell had 51, Mark Shoemaker totaled 52 and Josiah Foster scored 58 for the Cougars.
“Brownstown, like us, had a tough night tonight,” Personett said. “Brandon is a good coach, and they have a good group of young men. We got really fortunate tonight.
“We need to start focusing mentally on every shot. I want to see sharper focus, making sure we do a better job of looking at the lie and gauging the wind.”
The Braves will play in the Mid-Southern Conference Tournament on Saturday at Wooded View Golf Course in Clarksville, while Trinity plays at Belterra in Florence on Friday night against Switzerland County.
“We’re going to hit the ball straight and keep it in play,” Allman said. “There are a lot of trees. We need to limit our mistakes. We’re making too many big numbers.”