For The Tribune

Brayton Hattabaugh, who played the No. 1 position for the Brownstown Central boy’s golf team this spring, received most valuable player honors at the team’s awards program held Monday night at the middle school.

Braves Coach Brandon Allman said Hattabaugh was very deserving of the award.

“I let the kids vote on mental attitude and the MVP awards, and he received all the votes for MVP except one,” he said. “He improved as much as any player I’ve coached. His work ethic, his time working on his game, his dedication, was outstanding.”

Hattabaugh earned All-Mid-Southern Conference first team honors by shooting a 78 in the MSC tournament at Wooded View Golf Course in Clarksville.

Hattabaugh was the Braves’ only four-year varsity letterman. He averaged 83.6 strokes in tournaments this year and had a low score of 74 at Cascades in Bloomington.

Hattabaugh, who previously received the most improved award, will continue his golf career at Indiana University Kokomo.

“A couple of years ago if you would have asked me if he had a chance to get a college scholarship to play golf, I would have said ‘heck no’ That shows how hard he has worked,” Allman said.

Cole Forrest received the mental attitude award. Allman said three players received votes for that award, and all three were deserving of the honor.

This was Forrest’s first year playing golf, and he improved enough throughout the season to play in the conference and sectional, and he recorded the Braves’ third-best score in the MSC with a 101.

Allman said Forrest showed good sportsmanship in practice and in matches.

Karl Pence received the most improved award.

Allman said he bases that award on how much they improve from the previous season.

“I wish he would have played all four years,” Allman said. “If he would have I think he could have been right up there with Brayton.”

Allman said all eight team members received varsity letters with six of them receiving their first letters.

“With so many first-year players we had to find ways to improve their games,” Allman said. “We had to have youth-individualized practices. We lose three off our sectional team, including our best player.”

In a message directed to the players he said, “Cherish your time being on the team because it will be over before you think it will.’

He said he hopes the returning players will spend a lot of time this summer playing golf working on their games.

The Braves were fifth in the MSC, ninth in the sectional, and 13-54 overall. Their low 9-hole score was a 179.