DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
DECATUR – Adams Central kept momentum going from last season as the Jets won Tuesday’s season-opening golf tournament at Cross Creek with new head coach Mary Jones in charge, finishing two strokes ahead of sectional and Bi-County rival Norwell with Tenley Hendricks finishing medalist with a 94.
Only five players in the six-team field broke 100 with official practices for the season starting just this past Friday. Many of the teams will face the tough task of a quick turnaround in the morning to play 18 more at Wabash Valley in Geneva.
Hendricks was not at her best on the putting green, but still took medalist honors with her 94, finishing one stroke ahead of Emma Burnau of Norwell, who was in the other group. She got off to a rough start on the first three holes (starting on 17), but made par on No. 2, 3 and 5 to take control of her threesome, playing with the top players from Bluffton and Jay County.
A par on nine was followed by another on the tenth hole and Hendricks played the final eight holes of the day at +7.
Lily Johnson was just behind Hendricks and she also finished strong, playing the last six holes at six over par for a 99.
The host Bellmont Braves featured a lineup of five seniors and their top scorer was Kinley Martin with a 102. While the entire team struggled on the Front Nine of the Biggs-Kreigh course, Martin settled down once she made the traditional turn. Her back nine card was all 4s, 5s and 6s for a round of 47 and a 102 on the day.
Heritage’s four scorers were within four strokes of each other, with No. 1 Morgan Comment finishing with the top Patriot score of 108.
The conditions for the event were interesting despite the beautiful weather. Beginning very early in the morning, a heavy dew combined with rain from the weekend gave the girls a tough opening 18 holes of the season. There were no birdies in the 18-hole invitational.
Aubrey Stoll (Heritage) had a career-best round for 18 holes with her 112, while Bellmont senior Mia Minnick had a solid debut in the varsity lineup with a consistent 112.
Hendrick’s medalist round was one stroke better than her 95 at Cross Creek last season. Teammate Lily Johnson did the same, turning a 101 last year into a 99 with a new personal best.
Team Scores: Adams Central 412, Norwell 414, Jay County 417, Bellmont 428, Bluffton 435, Heritage 440
Adams Central Scores: Tenley Hendricks 94, Lily Johnson 99, Adrienne Johnson 103, Brielle Fruechte 118, Grace Patterson 116
Bellmont Scores: Morgan Huss 106, Kinley Martin 102, Ava Billman 112, Lyla Post 108, Mia Minnick 112
Heritage Scores: Morgan Comment 108, Natalie Sorg 111, Anessa Spieth 109, Aubrey Stoll 112, Lia Comer 123
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