May 15, 2015 at 5:16 p.m.
Hudson, Patriots beat Stars
New grip paying off for JCHS sophomore
Hudson, Patriots beat Stars
Kyler Hudson has seen his play on the greens improve since he changed his putting grip.
He needs fewer putts and his scores have reflected the change.
The Jay County High School sophomore earned his first career match medalist honor on Thursday, shooting a 42 and helping the Patriot golf team to a 178-202 victory over South Adams at Portland Golf Club.
“He’s been steady lately,” said JCHS coach Butch Gray. “When he misses (putts), he is pretty close to the hole. When you can two-putt greens, you’ll really save strokes.
“I think the putting stroke … is a thing that he has really improved.”
One of those instances when Hudson barely missed was on the 344-yard, par-5 17th. His second shot from about 93 yards away hit the green and rolled to the fringe behind the hole, and his birdie putt from about 30 feet missed by 3 inches. It was the first of two holes on which he converted par.
On the previous hole — a 354-yard, par 4 — his par putt missed just to the right. He tapped in for bogey, the seventh of his round. He didn’t have a single double bogey.
“My iron shots were usually hitting the green,” said Hudson, noting he still needs to work on his driving. “Some were rolling off, but overall I had a good round.”
Since Hudson’s score of 48 on April 30, he’s had a career-best 39, 45 and 42. He said he’s happy with the way he’s been playing lately, and hopes to play well in the Allen County Athletic Conference meet May 23 at Brookwood Golf Club in Fort Wayne.
“I’ve been pleased,” he said. “My putting has been helping me, most definitely. I’ve stayed under 15 putts the last three matches.”
Hudson edged classmate and Jay County’s No. 1 golfer Jay Houck by one stroke.
He needs fewer putts and his scores have reflected the change.
The Jay County High School sophomore earned his first career match medalist honor on Thursday, shooting a 42 and helping the Patriot golf team to a 178-202 victory over South Adams at Portland Golf Club.
“He’s been steady lately,” said JCHS coach Butch Gray. “When he misses (putts), he is pretty close to the hole. When you can two-putt greens, you’ll really save strokes.
“I think the putting stroke … is a thing that he has really improved.”
One of those instances when Hudson barely missed was on the 344-yard, par-5 17th. His second shot from about 93 yards away hit the green and rolled to the fringe behind the hole, and his birdie putt from about 30 feet missed by 3 inches. It was the first of two holes on which he converted par.
On the previous hole — a 354-yard, par 4 — his par putt missed just to the right. He tapped in for bogey, the seventh of his round. He didn’t have a single double bogey.
“My iron shots were usually hitting the green,” said Hudson, noting he still needs to work on his driving. “Some were rolling off, but overall I had a good round.”
Since Hudson’s score of 48 on April 30, he’s had a career-best 39, 45 and 42. He said he’s happy with the way he’s been playing lately, and hopes to play well in the Allen County Athletic Conference meet May 23 at Brookwood Golf Club in Fort Wayne.
“I’ve been pleased,” he said. “My putting has been helping me, most definitely. I’ve stayed under 15 putts the last three matches.”
Hudson edged classmate and Jay County’s No. 1 golfer Jay Houck by one stroke.
Houck avoided disaster on the 370-yard, par-4 10th when his second shot landed in the sand trap at the front right side of the green. He punched it out of the hazard, and he left his par attempt long from about 30 feet away. He saved bogey with a downhill 8-footer.
Sophomore Nick Hayden made par twice, finishing with a 46 for the Patriots’ No. 3 score. Brothers Graham and Collin Haines had matching scores of 47 to round out the Patriots’ team score. It was the second time in a week they finished with the same score.
“Overall, I’m happy,” Gray said. Jay County plays Delta on Monday at Lakeview Country Club in Eaton. “I’m seeing kids … they get upset with themselves because they want to do better. That is a good sign because they’re not just packing it in. I like that.”
For South Adams, freshman David Muselman was the lone Starfire to break 50. He began his round on the 14th hole, making bogey on three consecutive holes before a double bogey on 17. His only par of the round came on the 370-yard, par-4 11th.
Lucas Bluhm, a sophomore, shot a 51 from the No. 4 spot, including his first career-birdie on the 168-yard, par-3 15th. His iron shot from the tee box was near the fringe at the top of the green, and he sank the birdie putt from about 7 feet away.
“That’s the best score he’s had for nine holes,” said SAHS coach Michael Wynn. “He did a good job.”
Sophomore’s Jacob Rife and Nick Wurster both turned in scores of 52 to reach the Stars’ total of 202. Marcus Teeter, also a sophomore, had a score of 55.
“It’s not a good score, but it’s right about where our average has been,” Wynn said. “They have been improving (but) we’ve gone backwards a little bit — getting toward the end of school and they’re not thinking so much like they need to.
“Hopefully we can get them on track for conference.”
In junior varsity action South Adams’ Chris Beitler made par twice, leading the four reserve players with a score of 50. Ian James and Auston Rittenhouse of Jay County both had scores of 56. J.D. Groh of South Adams shot a 59.
Sophomore Nick Hayden made par twice, finishing with a 46 for the Patriots’ No. 3 score. Brothers Graham and Collin Haines had matching scores of 47 to round out the Patriots’ team score. It was the second time in a week they finished with the same score.
“Overall, I’m happy,” Gray said. Jay County plays Delta on Monday at Lakeview Country Club in Eaton. “I’m seeing kids … they get upset with themselves because they want to do better. That is a good sign because they’re not just packing it in. I like that.”
For South Adams, freshman David Muselman was the lone Starfire to break 50. He began his round on the 14th hole, making bogey on three consecutive holes before a double bogey on 17. His only par of the round came on the 370-yard, par-4 11th.
Lucas Bluhm, a sophomore, shot a 51 from the No. 4 spot, including his first career-birdie on the 168-yard, par-3 15th. His iron shot from the tee box was near the fringe at the top of the green, and he sank the birdie putt from about 7 feet away.
“That’s the best score he’s had for nine holes,” said SAHS coach Michael Wynn. “He did a good job.”
Sophomore’s Jacob Rife and Nick Wurster both turned in scores of 52 to reach the Stars’ total of 202. Marcus Teeter, also a sophomore, had a score of 55.
“It’s not a good score, but it’s right about where our average has been,” Wynn said. “They have been improving (but) we’ve gone backwards a little bit — getting toward the end of school and they’re not thinking so much like they need to.
“Hopefully we can get them on track for conference.”
In junior varsity action South Adams’ Chris Beitler made par twice, leading the four reserve players with a score of 50. Ian James and Auston Rittenhouse of Jay County both had scores of 56. J.D. Groh of South Adams shot a 59.
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