Jim Hoffman says there is no doubt in his mind why Owen Marshall turned into an excellent high school golfer.
“His progress in the past four years is due to strong work ethic,” the Seymour golf head coach said. “He is a tireless worker. He is always trying to improve each aspect of his game. He became a much better putter the past two years.
“The mental side is where he has accelerated this year. He is strong mentally to let bad shots/holes go.”
Marshall played the No. 1 position for the Owls this spring and topped off his high school career by shooting a 67 to capture medalist honors at the Bloomington North Sectional at Cascades Golf Course in Bloomington.
He has been named The Tribune’s Golfer of the Year. This is the second time he has received this honor as he was also named it in 2019.
Due to COVID-19, there weren’t any spring sports played in the spring of 2020.
Marshall averaged 38 for 9-hole matches and 78 for 18-hole matches this spring.
He shot 77 at the Providence regional but did not qualify for state.
Marshall said he feels like the front nine at Shadowood fits his game better than the back nine because of out-of-bounds on the left on the first four holes.
“I like the front side more. I have a pretty anti-left swing so I don’t have to worry about the out-of-bounds much on the left side. The short par 4, No. 5 can be a birdie hole, and No. 4 (par 4) you always have a good look at birdie as well, so those two holes always help your score.”
Marshall says his lowest score on the front side at Shadowood was a 33 and his low score on the back nine was a 35, and his lowest score for an 18-hole tournament is 70.
“The greens at Shadowood are built up, so everything kind of rolls off. They’re all crowned and they’re not very wide left-to-right, so if you miss left-to-right you’re short-sided.”
Marshall tied the school record held by his cousin, Brady, who carded a 67 at St. Anne’s, North Vernon when he played for the Owls.
Owen said, “That’s a pretty big deal. It’s the first time since 1997. It was one of those days where I was tuned in pretty well. I had it all going. I got my putts to go in, which is always a good feeling.”
He is Seymour’s first sectional medalist since Trent Tormoehlen in 1997.
Hoffman said, “His 67 in sectional play was amazing. He beat many Division I golfers that day. Under those sectional conditions that was an absolute tremendous accomplishment.”
Marshall said he hit the ball well off the tee this spring.
“Tee to green, driving and hitting irons was definitely the strongest part of my game. My putter let me down a lot this year. I could have had a lot better year, stroke-wise, if I could have got the putter going more.”
He said he plans to walk on the golf team at IUPUI in Indianapolis this fall.
“I played golf a lot growing up, but I really started playing competitively in middle school. You don’t have to worry about the coach taking you out or anything. You control everything and if you hit a bad shot there is no one to blame.
It’s all on yourself and I just like being in control.”
“He is deserving and no doubt the best high school golfer,” Hoffman said. “He was a tremendous role model and will be hard to replace.”
2021 Boys Golf All-County Team:
Owen Marshall, Seymour, Sr.: averaged 38 for 9-hole matches and 78 for 18-hole matches this spring. Shot a 67 (tied school record) to qualify for regionals. Shot a 77 at the regional.
Ethan Dippold, Seymour, Sr.: averaged 46 for 9 holes, 84 for 18 holes, shot 78 at sectional to quality for regional, and shot 85 at regional. Shot 84 in Hoosier Hills Conference tournament.
Noah Surface, Seymour, Sr.: averaged 46 for 9 holes, 91 for 18 holes, shot 90 in HHC tournament, shot 91 in Seymour Invite.
Jacob Sabotin, Trinity Lutheran, Jr.: named Trinity’s MVP, led Cougars with 9-hole average of 40, 18-hole average of 80, topped Cougars in sectional with score of 86, shot 83 in Cougar Invitational.
Chandler Stahl, Brownstown Central, So.: named Brownstown’s MVP, led Braves with 9-hole average of 46.1, 18-hole average of 90.8, and topped team in Mid-Southern Tournament with 85, and shot 85 in sectional.
Caiden Gwin, Brownstown Central, Fr.: averaged 47.8 for 9 holes, 94.8 for 18 holes, shot 90 in MSC tournament and 91 in Edgewood Tournament.