GREENFIELD — Mt. Vernon returned to familiar territory.
After an eight-year run of Hancock County boys’ golf championships ended in 2018, the Marauders reclaimed the crown at Hawk’s Tail Golf Club on Tuesday.
“We wanted to get this one back,” Mt. Vernon coach Tyler Wilson said.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
Mt. Vernon shot 161 for the nine-hole event. New Palestine, the 2018 champion, was five strokes back at 166. Greenfield-Central was third with 170. Eastern Hancock shot 226.
“Between New Pal, Greenfield, and us, it felt like a coin flip at the beginning of this,” Wilson added.
New Palestine defeated Mt. Vernon 151-156 on Monday at the Marauders’ home course, Arrowhead Golf Course.
Playing in the team’s No. 5 spot, Mt. Vernon junior Elijah Dunham had a No. 1 kind of day.
Dunham was the tournament medalist with a one-over-par 37.
“I’m really proud of him,” Wilson said of his champion. “He’s taking it more seriously this year. He has upgraded some equipment and is really coming into his own.”
Dunham finished two strokes ahead of last year’s champion, Quinn Dobbins of New Palestine, Marauder No. 1 golfer Sam McWilliams and Greenfield-Central’s Zach Archer.
New Palestine’s Josh Shinkle shot a 41 to finish fifth and complete the all-county team.
Dobbins, McWilliams and Archer were also all-county in 2018.
Dunham’s strong finish proved to be the difference. He birdied holes No. 7 and No. 8 to get himself back to even-par on the day. He bogeyed No. 9, but it didn’t make a difference. He and his team both took home top honors.
“I was pretty happy (with my round),” Dunham said. “I caught fire there for a second.
“When I was two over through three holes, I was like, ‘Let’s see if I can get a few pars here,’ and I was still two over through six. I birdied the short par-four and I was putting for eagle on No. 8. I was hoping one over would place well.”
It was more than enough for the Marauders. John Husar tied for sixth overall with a 42 and Blake Johnson was close behind with a 43. Haiden Rose finished with a 49.
“This is awesome,” Dunham added on regaining the county title. “I didn’t know if we’d have a chance. We just lost to New Pal and Greenfield was a close match, too. Everyone played well.”
For the Dragons, after Dobbins and Shinkle, Chris Guhl and Matt Kelley each shot 43. Matt Barada finished with a 44.
“I just came out here and played my game,” Dobbins said of his round. “I had some good holes, some bad holes, but I was able to recover. I’m happy with my score.
“No disappointment. We all are feeling good with our swings and we still have the conference tournament, sectional and state tournament coming up. We know we can play better.”
Following Archer, Greenfield-Central got a 42 from Noah Mohler. Canyen Palmer scored 44, while Kyle Arrowood and Jordan Wray each carded 45’s.
John McDaniel had the best round for the Royals. He finished with a 46. Gage Deiser scored 55. He was followed by Dylan Grose (62), Chase Riggs (63) and Mason Loudon (67).
“We didn’t break any records with a 161, but it was good enough today,” Wilson said of his team’s ninth county crown in the last 10 years.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”2019 Hancock County Golf Tournament” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Team scores: Mt. Vernon 161, New Palestine 166, Greenfield-Central 170, Eastern Hancock 226
Medalist: Elijah Dunham, Mt. Vernon, 37
All-County Team
Elijah Dunham, Mt. Vernon, 37
Quinn Dobbins, New Palestine, 39
Sam McWilliams, Mt. Vernon, 39
Zach Archer, Greenfield-Central, 39
Josh Shinkle, New Palestine, 41
[sc:pullout-text-end]
