The Columbus North golfers likely will have a chance to reach some of their loftier goals this season if they can play like they did Friday.
The eighth-ranked Bull Dogs fired their best round of the season in a 144-169 win against Columbus East at Otter Creek. The top six North golfers all shot in the 30s.
“We’re really coming together as a team this year, and we seem to put together four scores when it matters,” senior Bryce Turner said. “It seems like it’s something special this year.”
Turner led the Bull Dogs with a sizzling 2-under-par 34 on Otter Creek’s West Nine. That was good enough to win medalist honors by two shots.
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After bogeying No. 3, Turner came back with birdies on Nos. 5, 7 and 9.
“Anytime I make three birdies per nine, that’s solid,” Turner said. “I’m just happy I could keep the damage at one bogey. My putting is kind of come along, and ball-striking is still there.”
The Bull Dogs’ other two senior three-year varsity players — Matt Vorndran and Spencer Fairbanks — came through with even-par 36s. Sophomore Drew Smith rounded out the scoring with a 38.
Also for North, Henry Kiel and Zachary Schiavello were right behind with 39s.
“It’s nice to see those seniors step up and start playing like they’re capable,” North coach Doug Bieker said. “Matt’s been playing pretty solid all year, but it’s nice to see Bryce really start to come into it here as we kind of make our push for the final month of the season. I think we can compete with anybody if those three guys are shooting the scores they shot tonight.”
Thomas Ruch led the Olympians with a 39. Mark Mayhew carded a 40, Nathan Cesarski added a 44, Derek Alexander had a 46 and Adrian Adams and Avery Foist each shot 47.
The Olympians normally play their home matches on the East Nine at Otter Creek. But coach Tom LaBarbera said the kids practice almost as much on the West Nine and should be familiar with it.
“It’s our home course, and we certainly know it, so I would have liked to have been a little bit less than that (169),” LaBarbera said. “It was unfortunate. We had a couple players that just had bad days. (North is) heading in the right direction, and we’re still trying to find some things.”
The Bull Dogs have a quick turnaround with Zionsville’s Sollman Invitational this morning at The Trophy Club in Lebanon. North will then play in the Conference Indiana Tournament on Monday at Winding River in Indianapolis.
East has three home dual matches this week before playing its Hoosier Hills Conference tourney May 20 at Elk Run in Jeffersonville.
