Patriots post season-best

FARMLAND - In their biggest event of the year, the Patriots did not seem phased at all. Perhaps they just didn't know any better.

With just one player with sectional experience on the course Monday, the Jay County High School boys golf team put up its best 18-hole score of the year with a 356.

"It's satisfying," said JCHS coach Butch Gray. "They're a group of kids that ... want to do their best. To see them be able to do that and finish their season this way (is great)."

The Patriots finished ninth in the field of 14 teams in the tournament hosted by Monroe Central at Hickory Hills Golf Club. They posted the same score as eighth-place Winchester - they lost the fifth-player tiebreaker to the Golden Falcons - and were three strokes behind seventh-place Muncie Central.

Yorktown rolled to victory with a 293, and Delta was the runner-up with a 302. The host Golden Bears earned the third regional-qualifying spot with a 331.

Patrik Kundenreich of the champion Tigers earned medalist honors with a 3-under-par 67.

The three individuals advancing without their team were Matt VanDam (71) from Cowan, Jimmy Tuttle (79) of Muncie Burris and Drendon Resler (79) of Muncie Southside.

Jay County's Jacob Heitkamp fell just three strokes short of a regional berth, racking up four pars in the first six holes he played. He added a birdie on the 503-yard, par-5 16th hole, putting him at 2-over-par through seven holes.

Heitkamp finished the back nine at Hickory Hills with a 39, and went on to add four pars on the front to finish with a 356.

Drew Houck was just a stroke behind Heitkamp as he recorded five pars in his round. He also had a birdie on the 305-yard, par-4 third hole on the way to his 83.

"He's been really consistent for us this year," said Gray of his No. 1 player. "It just comes down to the little things - the game 100 yards in, and putting.

"The surprise today, was Heitkamp shooting the 82," he added, noting that the junior had not been in the starting lineup for the team's previous two meets before earning his way back into the lineup during practice last week. "He was hitting his irons a little bit better. He chipped a little bit better."

Evan Ryder finished with four pars on the way to a 92, and Austin Mann and Ritchie Carducci each finished at 99.

Gray said he was happy to be one of just five teams to keep all of its scores out of triple digits.

"Last year were JV kids and they got thrown into the lion's den all of a sudden," he said. "We played pretty well today. It's a nice way to finish it. I look forward to next year."[[In-content Ad]]