By Brady Extin | The Times-Post

ELWOOD — A new course, and the return to an 18-hole format, did little to stand in the way of Pendleton Heights’ repeat bid at a Madison County title.
On Saturday, at Elwood Golf Links, the Arabians successfully defended their 2022 Madison County championship.
With a score of 308, they easily outpaced top competitors Lapel (333),
Alexandria-Monroe (335) and Frankton (350) to grab the 2023 title. Anderson (425), Elwood (431), and Madison-Grant (448) rounded out the team scores.
For an experienced team with every member from last year’s title returning, it was a freshman who led the way Saturday for Pendleton Heights.
In his first county tournament, freshman Hayden Fox shot a 3-over-par 74 to earn medalist honors.
He was joined by four other Arabians on the All-County team. Sophomore Vance Jarvis was third overall with a 77. Last year’s county medalist, Sam Denny, shot a 78 and finished tied for fourth place, and 2022 regional qualifier Cohen Gray fired a 79 to round out the Pendleton Heights scoring.
Joining the four Pendleton Heights members on the All-County team was a first-time participant from Lapel.
In his first, and only, county tournament, senior Tyler Lutz carded a 75 to finish runner-up and just one stroke behind Fox to help lead Lapel to the second-place finish.
Kaden Suchocki was second for the Bulldogs with an 82, followed by Jacob Erwin at 87 and Grant Humerickhouse at 89.
The runner-up finish was one spot higher than last year for Lapel. After finishing behind Alexandria-Monroe a year ago, the two teams flipped positions this time around.
Alexandria-Monroe’s Owen Harpe rounded out the all-county team with a 78.