Tigers Win Golf Regional, Valley's Martin Advances
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
FORT WAYNE - Warsaw boys golf coach Bob Turner said he felt good going into Friday's regional at Chestnut Hills in Fort Wayne. Now the 13th-year coach can feel good about heading to next week's state finals.
The Tigers shot 310 as a team yesterday to garner their second regional championship in three years.
"I think we're ready to play for a state championship," Turner said. "We're really playing well right now. A 310 on this course is great, I'm so pleased. This is what team sports are all about."
Culver Military Academy, which finished third in the Warsaw Sectional a week ago, finished second at Friday's regional with a score of 317; Goshen was third with 318. Wawasee, which finished second to the Tigers by one stroke in the sectional, finished the day with a 329.
The top three teams, as well as the top three individuals not on an advancing team, move on to the state finals Wednesday and Thursday at the Legends of Indiana Course in Franklin.
During an interview before the regional, Turner said Warsaw would be in good shape if they stuck to his plan. Asked what his "plan" was, Turner opted to keep that a secret.
In winning the regional Friday, his secret was revealed.
"We didn't use any drivers off the tee," Turner said. "Today was about good course management. We had some long approach shots, but we stayed on the course. I wouldn't say we out-smarted anybody, but we did the right thing. We weren't greedy. We were patient."
Based on individuals, Warsaw wouldn't have advanced a player to the state finals. Combining their scores as a team, the Tigers put on a show.
David Slater led the Tigers with a 75, while Matt Osbeck, Greg Clay and Adam Johnson turned in 78s. Aaron Turner, playing with a 101-degree fever, shot an 18-hole round of 84.
Advancing as an individual to the state finals is Tippecanoe Valley senior Andy Martin, who finished second with a score of 72. Martin, whose Vikings competed in the team state finals a year ago, teed off shortly after 8 a.m., leaving him to wonder all day if his score would stand.
"At first I didn't think it would hold," Martin said. "After I got back from lunch I kind of figured it might stick. I'm just glad it stayed and I get to go to state."
Brian Love, also a Valley senior, competed individually and shot an 88. Whitko's Levi Krider finished the day with an 85.
Garrett senior Heath Peters won individual medalist honors with his 1-under-par score of 71.
After shooting a round of 74 in practice Thursday, Wawasee's Justin Rider turned in a 94 Friday. Sophomore Stephen Conrad, playing in the No. 1 slot, shot a 36 on the front nine and finished with a 76. Also for Wawasee, Josh Abrams shot 81, Kyle Lundy 85 and Joel Bickel 87. [[In-content Ad]]
FORT WAYNE - Warsaw boys golf coach Bob Turner said he felt good going into Friday's regional at Chestnut Hills in Fort Wayne. Now the 13th-year coach can feel good about heading to next week's state finals.
The Tigers shot 310 as a team yesterday to garner their second regional championship in three years.
"I think we're ready to play for a state championship," Turner said. "We're really playing well right now. A 310 on this course is great, I'm so pleased. This is what team sports are all about."
Culver Military Academy, which finished third in the Warsaw Sectional a week ago, finished second at Friday's regional with a score of 317; Goshen was third with 318. Wawasee, which finished second to the Tigers by one stroke in the sectional, finished the day with a 329.
The top three teams, as well as the top three individuals not on an advancing team, move on to the state finals Wednesday and Thursday at the Legends of Indiana Course in Franklin.
During an interview before the regional, Turner said Warsaw would be in good shape if they stuck to his plan. Asked what his "plan" was, Turner opted to keep that a secret.
In winning the regional Friday, his secret was revealed.
"We didn't use any drivers off the tee," Turner said. "Today was about good course management. We had some long approach shots, but we stayed on the course. I wouldn't say we out-smarted anybody, but we did the right thing. We weren't greedy. We were patient."
Based on individuals, Warsaw wouldn't have advanced a player to the state finals. Combining their scores as a team, the Tigers put on a show.
David Slater led the Tigers with a 75, while Matt Osbeck, Greg Clay and Adam Johnson turned in 78s. Aaron Turner, playing with a 101-degree fever, shot an 18-hole round of 84.
Advancing as an individual to the state finals is Tippecanoe Valley senior Andy Martin, who finished second with a score of 72. Martin, whose Vikings competed in the team state finals a year ago, teed off shortly after 8 a.m., leaving him to wonder all day if his score would stand.
"At first I didn't think it would hold," Martin said. "After I got back from lunch I kind of figured it might stick. I'm just glad it stayed and I get to go to state."
Brian Love, also a Valley senior, competed individually and shot an 88. Whitko's Levi Krider finished the day with an 85.
Garrett senior Heath Peters won individual medalist honors with his 1-under-par score of 71.
After shooting a round of 74 in practice Thursday, Wawasee's Justin Rider turned in a 94 Friday. Sophomore Stephen Conrad, playing in the No. 1 slot, shot a 36 on the front nine and finished with a 76. Also for Wawasee, Josh Abrams shot 81, Kyle Lundy 85 and Joel Bickel 87. [[In-content Ad]]