All Columbus East needed to post its best golf score of the season was to get on its home course.
The Olympians broke 160 for the first time this year Tuesday on the East Nine at Otter Creek. They posted a 159-182 win against Jennings County.
“Obviously, we’re familiar with the course, and it was a pretty nice night tonight,” East coach Tom LaBarbera said. “It wasn’t too windy. It was a good night to shoot some decent scores.”
Mark Mayhew fired a career-best 1-over-par 37 to win medalist honors for the first time in his high school career. He birdied No. 4 and No. 5 and had three bogeys.
A putt that lipped out on No. 9 was all that kept Mayhew from shooting his best score ever, regardless of whether in a tournament or practice.
“I was killing my drives down the middle all day, so that helps,” Mayhew said. “It just gave me good positioning. I had two birdies, so that went well, but the last two holes, I didn’t finish as good as I wanted to.”
Thomas Ruch carded a 38 for the Olympians, who were coming off a win in Saturday’s Jennings County Invitational at St. Annes. Derek Alexander and Adrian Adams each shot 42 to round out the scoring.
Also for East, Matt Furnish posted a 45, Ryan Singer added a 46, Avery Foist had a 47, Nathan Cesarski and Evan Weineke each shot 50 and Daniel Kuhlman finished with a 57.
“I’m really thrilled to see Mark shoot that 37,” LaBarbera said. “For him to shoot that low number tonight was outstanding, and Thomas is just kind of steady. Derek was struggling a little bit, but he’s not quitting. He’s fighting through it, so he’s going to turn it around pretty quick.”
Bryce Kirchner led the Panthers with a 40, Justin Gasper carded a 43, Austin Roscoe added a 49 and Adam Leach had a 50.
Also for Jennings, Hunter Conrad posted a 57, Joe Kelly and Keegan Beal each shot 60, Samson Miller had a 63 and Conner Cook finished with a 74.
“Coming in here with some wind and playing it down with a little tougher rough and fast greens, we met our goal for the day,” Jennings coach B.J. Bingham said. “It could have been a lot better, but it’s a young team, and they’ll learn from this. I can shave 10 or 15 strokes off pretty quick if I look around at some of these guys’ rounds. But I’m not disappointed at all.”
