Crouch continues summer success

MOUNT VERNON — T.T. Crouch’s days of being a freshman are finally over — but his success on the golf course is just beginning.

“I wish I was still a freshman because they said ‘You play good for a freshman’ all year, and if I was a senior shooting the same scores they wouldn’t be saying that,” he said.

Freshman or not, his recent success on the greens hasn’t gone unnoticed. On Tuesday, Crouch placed first at the Ohio Boys Junior Public Links State Championship at Tam O’ Shanter golf course in Massillon, shooting a 69 the first day and a 68, tying his best score ever, the second day. His 137 also placed him first overall by five strokes.

“I got off to a rough start on my second day. I missed my first three greens and I was one over,” said Crouch. “I birdied the next, parred the next one after that and then birdied the next, so I kind of got on a roll.”

After Day 1 of play, Crouch was tied with Richie Schembechler of Massillon and Dean Schneider of West Union.

“Someone told me when I was on the 11th hole or something like that that there were a couple of groups behind me that were tied with me. One was like four or five over and the other was like one or two. I was kind of cruisin,’” said Crouch.

Crouch then packed his clubs and headed to Darby Creek to compete again on Wednesday. He picked up another first-place finish, shooting a 72-72. It was a good preview for his season this fall with the Yellow Jackets.

“Today at Darby Creek, that was an OCC course, so I just want to get out there and get ready for the OCC,” said Crouch.

A number of other Mount Vernon players joined Crouch at the Public Links. Freshman Charlie Phillips finished sixth overall, shooting a 72-73. The pair will be competing in Illinois later this month. Having Phillips around is another factor that makes Crouch no longer feel like the freshman.

“It made me feel like a veteran, I guess,” he said.

Other Mount Vernon residents who competed in the Ohio Public Links were Matt Crouch, Steve Hall, Aaron O’Hara, Billy Barbour II, Jay Ruffner, Chris O’Hara, Jim March, David March, Zack Arck, Will O’Hara and Matt O’Hara.

“I want to thank my family, the Crouch family, for supporting me and my friends,” said Crouch.