Poole paces Patriots

Isaac Poole has been in and out of the starting lineup this year. He made the most of his opportunity in his final home match.

Poole had more pars than any other player Tuesday, sharing medalist honors with fellow Jay County High School senior Adam Gray and Muncie Southside's Drendon Resler. His effort helped lead the Patriot boys golf team to a score of 163 to finish in front of both the Rebels (174) and the Daleville Broncos (212).

"All in all I'm happy that we finished out with a good win tonight," said JCHS coach Butch Gray, whose team finished with an 9-2 dual-match record.

Poole played far and away his best nine-hole round of the season as he was one of three Patriots to open with a par of the 348-yard, par-4 10th hole. He added pars on the 11th and 12th holes at PGC before his tee shot on the 13th hole - a 150-yard, par-3 - landed in the rough to the right side of the green.

The senior came through again, chipping to within three feet of the hole and sinking another par putt. Then he finished off a streak of five straight Jay County players to par the 520-yard, par-5 14th hole to stand at even par through five.

Poole finally took his first bogey on the 168-yard, par-3 15th on the way to posting a 40.

The previous low score of the season for the second-year golfer was a 48 in the Patriots' win over Adams Central.

"It was nice to see all the parents here," said Gray, noting the large senior-night crowd. "(Poole) had a little bigger group because he had relatives in from Pennsylvania, and they followed him and cheered him on.

"Starting even par after five holes is great. That's a pretty tough stretch. That's nice to see."

The effort from Poole matched Gray, who opened his round with three consecutive pars. He had a bit of a tough stretch over the next five before bouncing back with a par on the 178-yard, par-3 18th for his 40.

Resler had five pars as he led Southside with a 40. The top score for Daleville was a 48 from Ethan Earhart.

Sophomore Drew Houck turned in a consistent round for the Patriots.

He joined Poole and Gray in parring No. 10, and then added two more pars on the 13th and 14th. He played bogey golf on every remaining hole to post a 41.

Adam Horn had one of just two Patriot birdies on the day as he played 1-under-par on No. 13. He added a par on the 14th hole on the way to a 42.

The scores from Jay County's No. 3 through 6 players have improved drastically over the last several weeks. During the first half of the season the team's final two scores were always in the mid-to-high 40s.

"They're coming in more in the low 40s," said Gray, whose team has scored in the 160s in each of its last five dual matches. "That makes you feel a little bit better."

Adam Mescher added a 44 Tuesday with a birdie on the 498-yard, par-5 12th hole. Chase Wellman had two pars in his round of 45.

Only tournament action remains for the Patriots, who will play in the Monroe Central sectional at Hickory Hills Golf Course Monday at 9 a.m.

Gray said Yorktown, which is ranked fourth in the state, is the clear favorite. But he added that his Patriots, along with Muncie Central, Delta and the host Golden Bears also have a chance at finishing in the top three and qualifying for the regional.

"There's really four teams for two spots," said Gray. "We've got to come through and play one of our better rounds and we've got a shot as a team."[[In-content Ad]]