Published: May 12, 2008 04:05 pm            

Cadets take third in WCC golf

CLAYTON — Following the conclusion of the results in the Western Central Conference (BCC) boys’ golf championship at Deer Creek Golf Club, the Cascade Cadets had two players named to the all-conference squad. Both Anthony Arthur (80) and Greg Keutzer (83) scored well enough to receive the honor and the medals that came with it.

Cadet coach David Smyth said it was expected for Arthur to achieve that status but for Keutzer, it was a bit of a surprise as it was his best round of the year.

“I am really pleased to have two kids on that team and am very happy about that,” Smyth said. “We had a shaky front nine but we responded by playing better on the back. We needed to play great to win this tournament, but our score is better than average for us and I am pleased with that.”

The Cadets tied for third with Cloverdale as both teams shot a 342 but the Clovers were given the edge due to the fifth man score. Greencastle (326) won the meet followed by North Putnam with 336.

Cadets Ty Rosenbalm (93) and Robert Russo (86) rounded out the top four scores with teammate Andrew Arthur (106) in fifth.

Luke Crimmins of Greencastle took individual medal honors with his round of a three over, 75. Clover Michael Glassburn (78) was second but would have been only one stroke from the medallist position had his scorecard not been wrong upon signing it.

The Cadets were the beneficiaries of Glassburns’ two-stroke mistake as it pushed Cloverdale back into a tie with Cascade. It was an unfortunate error that all golfers should take heed of and double check their scorecards before turning them in.

“He turned in his score card with a six and a four on the card and they took the higher one,” Smyth said. “It is unfortunate but with both on there, it will always be the larger score that they take. ”

Arthur had the best back nine of all competitors with a one over, 36, however, his front nine 44 hampered any chance at becoming the overall medallist.

At the mid point in the season, Smyth said he is happy with how the team has progressed to this point.

“Overall, I think we are where we want to be,” Smyth said. “I am disappointed with the way today went, because we did not win, but in the big picture the kids are playing to their potential and that is all I can ask.”

With several individual matches and a county tournament remaining on their schedule, the Cadets will have time to improve and hone their games a little bit before reaching sectionals.

“With the quality of competition in our sectional it will be tough for (the team) to advance,” Smyth said. “Anthony, I’m sure, is looking to advance as an individual.”

Like all spring sports teams, this time of the year is especially difficult. Exams, prom, and the end of school are all areas that a student-athlete spends time and energy on at this point in the school year, essentially taking away some focus from golf.

“I’m sensitive to that and do not want to hold them here for four hours a night,” Smyth said. “At the end of the year I believe any spring sports coach suffers. There is a heck-of-a lot going on especially for the seniors with graduation. There are a lot of distractions out there and it is something we do struggle with.”

        

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