Jacob Sabotin began the season playing the No. 1 position for the Trinity Lutheran boys golf team.

He also finished the season as the Cougars’ No. 1 player and capped off his season by qualifying for the regional at Champions Pointe Golf Club in Henryville.

Sabotin had the low averages for the Cougars this season at 40 (nine holes) and 81 (18). His low score was 36, which he carded four times during the season.

Coach Doug Sabotin presented his son with the most valuable player award during an awards program last week at Shadowood Golf Course in Seymour.

“That means a lot to me in a lot of different ways. I never thought I’d have a chance to coach him,” Doug said. “It was exciting to see him advance out of the sectional, and the most fun I’ve had coaching Jacob was at the regional.”

Coach Sabotin presented all four seniors, Jacob, Kade Hill, Preston Kovener and Caleb Williams, with senior awards and special gifts.

“The seniors were a joy to coach,” he said.

Kovener and Williams were co-recipients of Cougar Awards, which is based on sportsmanship and other criteria.

“Sportsmanship is important in all sports,” coach Sabotin said.

Hill also received the most improved award. Coach Sabotin said that award was based on a golfer’s swing, chipping, putting and fairway shots.

Hill averaged 48, while Kovener and Williams both had averages of 53.

Other team members, junior Gabe Lorenz and freshman Wylie Jones, also were introduced.

“We had a fantastic season,” coach Sabotin said. “It was an honor and a blessing to coach these seniors. Our season began in mid-March and lasted until the first of June. We didn’t have a lot of time to work on things.”

He said the Cougars shot their lowest score of the season in the sectional at Cascades in Bloomington, a 372. Their low nine-hole score was 171. Sabotin said the Cougars had a big victory when they won a four-team match at Chariot Run Golf Club.

Sabotin has five rules he wants his golfers to abide by every time they practice or play in a match: Honor God, play as a team, have fun, do your best and learn every day.

“I hope those are the things you remember the most about playing golf for Trinity Lutheran,” he told his team.