Coach Brent Hattabaugh said the wind and cold weather took its toll on the Brownstown Central and Seymour golfers during Friday’s meet at Hickory Hills Golf Course.
“I think the wind affected all shots,” Hattabaugh said after the Owls defeated the Braves 186-192. “The wind and the cold played a major factor in the high scores today.”
Owen Marshall was low scorer for the Owls with a 44, and Caden Clodfelter was low for the Braves with the same score.
Both golfers said they had trouble with their putters.
Marshall said, “My score was pretty poor. I hit the ball decent, but I just couldn’t get it in the hole. I hit 6 greens in regulation, but half my shots were putts and any time you do that it’s not going to be a pretty round.
“I need to work on a lot of stuff.”
Clodfelter said, “I think I only missed 1 fairway, and my approach shots were good, above average in greens in regulation. My putting just wasn’t there today.
“I do hit it shorter than a lot of people, but I do hit it straighter. (The 44) is not my best but it is definitely good for me. I think the whole team is improving.”
Ethan Dippold and Noah Surface shot 47s for the Owls, Andon Self carded a 48, Ty Stuckwisch had a 54 and Manny Fontanez rounded out the varsity with a 57.
Owls assistant golf coach Brian Tidd said the 186 was higher than he expected. “We’re struggling right now, especially around the greens, chipping and putting.”
He said the team will be working on its short game this weekend, and next week following Monday’s match against Bloomington South at Bloomington Country Club.
“Yes, there were a couple holes they hit into the wind and we left them short, so we didn’t hit enough club.”
Other Brownstown scores were Elix Preston with a 47, Caiden Gwin with a 48, Chandler Stahl and Cooper Wolka with 53 and Jaren Cunningham with a 55.
Hattabaugh said he saw improvement in the Braves’ putting.
“I think they putted a lot better today, but our short game, chipping, and off the tee, they struggled.”
We’re going to work on our short game, and we’re going to try to go to a driving range so we can all hit drivers, and work on our drives more than just being here at the course.”
The Braves will host Mid-Southern schools Austin, Clarksville and Scottsburg for a home match Monday.