Madison County golf champion Arabians (from left) Brady Gray, Cohen Gray, coach Hunter Cook, Sam Denny, Ryan Davis and Vance Jarvis.
PENDLETON —A crew of young Arabians returned the Madison County Golf Championship trophy to Pendleton Heights on their home course on Monday.
Several other competitors found themselves riddled with mistakes, but the Arabian errors were few.
“That’s one thing we’ve really worked on this year is compacting the mistakes and leaving them there and not blowing up,” said first-year Arabians head coach Hunter Cook.
Sophomore Sam Denny earned medalist honors with a 39.
“Sam is a great golfer,” Cook said.
“We’ve played pretty good all season,” Denny said. “We’re all young. I think we’ll be pretty good for the next couple of seasons.”
Denny’s 39 was one of the first scores to be turned in, but waiting wasn’t as difficult as it could have been. “I thought it might have been one of my teammates to beat me.”
Weather caused the original Saturday 18-hole event to be postponed. Monday’s match was a nine-hole event, the first since 2017. While Saturday’s weather cold and wet, Monday temps were in the low 70s with a little wind.
Of the six All-County Honors awarded, the Arabians claimed five spots.
Will Retherford of Elwood shot a 40 and was second in the match. Three of the five Arabians playing were freshmen.
“One thing I told them for this year is to not worry about your scores and go out and have fun,” Cook said.
Lapel, which has won the last two county titles (2019, 2021) struggled on the course and tied for third with Frankton.
Cook said the nine-hole event may have helped a little with the stress factor.
“They knew they just needed to go out and play a good nine holes, and if they did, they’d bring the title home to Pendleton. Winning Madison County on your home course, words can’t really describe it.”
“They came out today and played their hearts out — couldn’t ask for anything more,” Cook said.
The Arabians were set to play at Hamilton Southeastern on Wednesday, May 11 (after press time), and in the Hoosier Heritage Conference tournament on May 14 at The Players Club in Yorktown.
Lapel competes in the Franklin Invitations May 14 at the Legends Golf Club.