GREENFIELD — With favorite New Castle expected to take one of three available spots into Thursday’s Muncie Central Golf Regional, county rivals New Palestine, Greenfield-Central and Mt. Vernon — who had only a five-stroke separation at the Hoosier Heritage Conference Meet — knew every shot in Monday’s Greenfield-Central Boys Golf Sectional at Hawk’s Tail of Greenfield would be crucial.
The three teams were even closer on Monday, with the Dragons and Cougars edging out the Marauders for the final spot.
Led by medalist Derek Tabor with a three-under par 69, New Castle won the event with a 295. New Palestine was second with a 316. Greenfield-Central finished with a 318, one stroke better than Mt. Vernon’s 319.
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“We knew we had to play relaxed as possible,” New Palestine coach Gregg Greene said. “It was a tight field and all five scores were going to matter.”
Individually, Greenfield-Central’s Kyle Arrowood was the top county golfer. He finished second for the second straight year. He shot a one-over-par 73.
It is the first time since 2013 the Cougars will advance their entire team to the regional. Arrowood and Noah Mohler advanced last year as individuals.
Mohler was fifth on Monday with a 75. Zachary Archer with an 83 and Canyen Palmer with an 87 were the other scorers for Greenfield-Central. All, including No. 5 player Jordan Wray, who shot a 99, are seniors.
“We really wanted to go as a team this year,” Arrowood said. “Every stroke counts. We only got out by one, so it just shows that every shot matters.”
It’s a little extra special for the Cougar crew. It was their final chance.
“It’s going to be a fun week,” Arrowood added. “We would have been really disappointed to have played all these years and not make it out as a team. I’m glad we pulled through.”
The Marauders won the county tournament, a nine-hole event, earlier this season on the same course. Their 319 score was the lowest they’ve had in an 18-hole tournament all season, but the Dragons and Cougars each had season lows, too.
“We knew New Castle had been consistent and the rest of it felt like four teams (including Triton Central) going for two spots,” Mt. Vernon coach Tyler Wilson said. “We knew we had to beat two of them and we knew it would be close.
“Every shot means a lot when you have four teams this close.”
The Marauders will advance two individuals. Sam McWilliams finished third with a 74. John Husar picked up the final transferring spot with a 79. Blake Johnson finished with an 82, while Haiden Rose shot 84. Elijah Dunham carded an 87.
“I’m proud of the way they played,” Wilson said. “Obviously, that one shot hurts.”
New Palestine’s low golfer was Chris Guhl. The team’s No. 3 shot a 76, seventh best in the tournament. Senior Matt Kelley finished with a 79. Matt Barada carded an 80 and Quinn Dobbins finished with an 81. Josh Shinkle tallied an 84.
“Chris had a career day,” Greene said. “For him, it’s a matter of putting all three phases of the game together. He put it all together (Monday).”
Eastern Hancock finished ninth among the 12 teams that participated Monday. The Royals shot 419. They were led by John McDaniel with a round of 100. He was followed by Gage Deiser (104), Chase Rigges (104), Mason Lardon (111) and Ryan Dagley (118).
Thursday’s regional will be played at The Players Club in Yorktown. First tee time is scheduled for 8 a.m.
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At Hawk’s Tail of Greenfield (Par 72)
Team Scores (Top 3 advance to Thursday’s Muncie Central Regional)
New Castle;295
New Palestine;316
Greenfield-Central;318
Mt. Vernon;319
Triton Central;333
Shenandoah;358
Southwestern;359
Knightstown;403
Eastern Hancock;419
Morristown;424
Blue River Valley;NA
Shelbyville;NA
Individual Scores (Top 3, not on top three teams, advance to Thursday’s Muncie Central Regional)
Derek Tabor, New Castle;33-36;69
Kyle Arrowood, Greenfield-Central;37-36;73
*Sam McWilliams, Mt. Vernon;38-36;74
Spencer Stewart, New Castle;36-38;74
Noah Mohler, Greenfield-Central;38-37;75
Brady Wheeler, New Castle;39-36;75
Chris Guhl, New Palestine;39-37;76
*Drew Rowen, Triton Central;38-39;77
Dillon Bergum, New Castle;36-41;77
Nolan Beam, New Castle;39-38;77
*John Husar, Mt. Vernon;39-40;79
*Advanced as individual to Thursday’s regional
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