Foster, Patriots hand UC its first defeat (05/30/03)

PORTLAND — Something had to give.

The Union City Indians golf team entered dual meet action Thursday with an unbeaten record. However, it had finished behind Jay County twice in invitational tournaments.

It was the Patriots who took control at Portland Country Club, handing Union City its first loss of the year, 162-174.

“We knew coming in Union City is a quality team,” said Jay County coach Chris Krieg. “They have two really good consistent golfers. They both average around 40.”

However, a few Patriots ignored their season averages against Union City, and it made all the difference.

Leading the pack for Jay County was Adam Foster, who shot a team-best score for the season and a career-best score personally with a 36. Patriot No. 1 golfer Tyler Johnston was not far back with a 38.

Alex Hunt followed with a 43, Ben Freeman had a 45 and Jesse Shawver shot a 47.

Carson Jenkinson and A.J. Amspaugh shared top scores for Union City with 42s. Brandon Cook had a 43, and Michael Cox and Nic Lahey each shot 49.

Foster recorded his 1-over-par round despite hitting just one fairway and three greens as the teams played the back nine at Portland.

“I birdied two of the three greens I hit,” said Foster. “And I had five one putts. I putted pretty well.”

Foster and junior varsity teammate Nathan McClung began on the par-5 12th hole, and Foster got off to a quick start. He hit one of his three greens on the day and birdied the hole.

He followed with pars on the par-3 13th and 15th, and birdied the par-5 14th to move to 2-under par after four holes. Finally there was a blip in his round as he bogeyed No. 16, but he came back with a par on 17.

On the 194-yard 18th hole Foster left his drive just short and on the bottom of the hill well below the green. It could have been trouble, but instead he chipped to within about 10 feet of the cup and buried his par put.

Foster finished his round with a bogey on No. 10 and a par on No. 11.

“It’s nice,” said Foster of the round. “I should be there more often. It’s about time to start playing, the sectional is coming.”

Jay County’s next meet is Monday at home against Blackford, with the sectional a week later at Huntington North.

Johnston didn’t have the best start to his round, bogeying the 10th and 11th holes before finding his stride. He rallied in the next six holes with five pars and a birdie to pull himself to 1-over par.

He had a chance to match Foster on the 18th, but took a double bogey after hitting into the creek to the front and left of the green.

Hunt had one par, and nailed a long birdie putt on the 600-yard par-5 14th hole on the way to his 43. Freeman parred each of the par-5 holes in his round, and Shawver also had a pair of pars.

The victory improved Jay County to 7-4 on the year. Three of the four losses have come by two strokes, including one to undefeated South Adams.

“This time of year you want to be playing good golf,” said Krieg. “We’re going in the right direction. Hopefully we can keep up our pace.”

Junior varsity

Jay County’s junior varsity golf team stands at 6-1 on the year, and finished with a score of 187 Thursday against Union City. The Indians had just two JV golfers.

Leading the JV scoring for Jay County were Josh Hall and Ronnie Reynolds, each at 45. Nathan McClung shot 46, Adam Freeman had a 50, and Ryan Fritze came in with a 51.

Josh Thornburg finished with a 54, James Brosher had a 55 and Bill Spahr hit a 65.[[In-content Ad]]