Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Tippecanoe Valley golf coach Roger Moriarty was putting the finishing touches in his scorebook after Wednesday's match when one of his golfers posed a question: "Are you happy?" the golfer asked.
"I'm always happy when we win," Moriarty answered.
Win the Vikings did, handing Wawasee its first loss in the process in the nine-hole match at Rozella Ford. The Vikings improved to 7-1 by shooting a 158. Wawasee dropped to 7-1 with its 161. Southwood (2-4) finished a distant third with a 180.
Again guiding the way for Valley were two sophomores, Andy Martin and Drew Shafer. Martin shot a 38 in the No. 1 spot, while Shafer shot a 35 in the No. 2 spot. The nine holes played in Wednesday's match were par-35.
Shafer birdied hole No. 5 and parred seven others. He needed but 14 putts over the nine holes. Martin had an eagle on hole No. 3, a par-5 hole. He parred five holes.
The two golfers recorded the top two scores of the day.
After the first four scores came in, Valley and Wawasee were tied at 161. But Valley's worst score was 45, while Wawasee's worst score was 42.
To win, Valley needed No. 5 golfer Brandon Eaton to come through. He did, firing a 42, allowing Valley to drop Aaron Zolman's 45.
Valley's other score was a 43 by sophomore Brian Love.
"One fifty-eight is a good score," Moriarty said. "We got a 42 out of Brandon in the fifth spot, pretty solid. We sent a message to a sectional team (Wawasee)."
Chad Wortinger led Wawasee with a 39 and was followed by Scott White (40), Lucas White (40) and Ryan Skaggs (42). Kyle Lundy's 45 was dropped.
Justin Ridgeway's 43 led Southwood.
But the stories of the day were Martin and Shafer. Both are 16. Both went to Akron. They have been golfing together since the sixth grade.
"We have to shoot good for us to win," Shafer said. "Anywhere we go, Andy or I usually get medalist."
Valley is halfway through its golf season. Shafer has taken 424 total strokes; Martin has taken 423.
Shafer's 35 was his best nine-hole score this season. Martin's best nine-hole score? Thirty-five, of course.
The top two freshman averages in Valley's school history -Êsince 1975 -Êwere recorded in the same season, 1998. Shafer is first with a 41.11, and Martin is second with a 41.26. The third-best freshman average was recorded in 1998 as well, Love's 43.85.
Either Martin or Shafer has recorded Valley's best score in every match this season.
Asked which player has led the team more often, Martin said, "I bet it's half and half."
This is why Moriarty, when asked if there is anything separating these two golfers, said no.
"Which night are you asking me?" he said. "They are absolutely rock solid. I know I have two good scores every match from those two guys. I don't have to worry about them.
"Those two top guys, I think they are both Division I players. They take turns ripping on each other. They both want to play No. 1 for us."
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 158, WAWASEE 161, SOUTHWOOD 180
Tippecanoe Valley (7-1) -ÊAndy Martin 38, Drew Shafer 35, Brian Love 43, Aaron Zolman 45, Brandon Eaton 42
Wawasee (7-1) -ÊChad Wortinger 39, Scott White 40, Ryan Skaggs 42, Lucas White 40, Kyle Lundy 45
Southwood (2-4) -ÊJustin Ridgeway 43, Tom Wright 45, Clint Marshall 44, Mike Mathews 48, Lee Sweet 52
JV: WAWASEE 115, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 116, SOUTHWOOD 133
*The junior varsity match did not play nine holes because of lightning.
