HOWARD — On Wednesday afternoon, the Centerburg High School boys golf team showed it is not how you start, but how you finish.
After struggling on the front nine of the East Knox Invitational at Apple Valley Golf Course, the Trojans improved drastically to win the title by two strokes over Mount Gilead, 323-325.
“This is a big confidence boost,” said Centerburg coach Nathan Altizer. “I think we have high expectations for what this team can do this year, and this will just build that confidence.”
River View took third (342), Johnstown was fourth (364) and Danville finished fifth (367). Rounding out the field were host East Knox (374), Cardington (381) and Fredericktown (499).
Garrison Myles of Centerburg took medalist honors, firing a 71 on the day. Things didn’t start off well for Myles, who trailed Mount Gilead’s Joseph Whiston, 35-38, at the turn. Myles shot a 33 on the back nine, however, and bested Whiston by two strokes at the end.
“Garrison rebounded very well today,” Altizer said. “He shot a 38 on the front, but came back with the 33 on the back. That says a lot, especially on a course like Apple Valley. It is a tough course.”
Troy Lemke also had a strong outing, finishing with a 75. He was the Trojans’ most consistent golf, shooting a 37 on the front nine and a 38 on the back. Nich Pitzer fired an 89, and Cole Metcalfe carded an 88 to round out Centerburg’s scorers.
Individual scores for other area schools were not available at press time.
jhuddleston@mountvernonnews.com
