MORE THAN SPECIAL: Central claims first-ever state boys golf title
Oct. 6—Nathan Hutchinson
BOWLING GREEN — The Indians carried a comfortable lead into the final round of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association State Tournament.
And after another solid day, they were in position to make history.
The significance of the moment, though, didn't really start to sink in until the final few holes.
"I was on the fairway on No. 18 and (Madison Central coach) Kyle (Congleton) comes up to me and says, 'You are a state champ.' That just felt awesome," Central's Warren Thomis said.
"Warren was probably the first one I said that to," Congleton said. "It was just an amazing feeling."
Central clinched the program's first-ever KHSAA State Championship on Wednesday at the Bowling Green Country Club. The Indians had a two-round total of +24, 600, and beat out Lexington Catholic by nine stokes. Bowling Green (611) was third.
Thomis shot an even par, 144, and finished fourth individually. Mason Hamrick finished at +1, 145, and was fifth.
Clay Pendergrass (+4, 148) tied for sixth. Braydon Bond (+19, 163) was tied for 58th and Radney Bales (+22, 166) tied for 65th.
Central had a seven-shot lead after the first day and was never really challenged in the second round.
"It was pretty easy, it felt like, all day," Pendergrass said. "I don't think any of the guys were stressed. We just had to come out and play good, solid conservative golf — and that's what we did."
The Indians shot a 297 on Tuesday and had a 303 in the final round. LCA made a late charge, but never got closer than six shots.
"You never really feel like you've got it until it is all said and done. But, getting off to a good start today when the other teams got off to a slow start was huge for us," Congleton said.
The Indians came up just short of the state title last season, falling by one stroke to Christian Academy of Louisville.
They brought back just two starters from that squad — Pendergrass and Thomis — and added two transfers — Bond and Hamrick (Model).
That combination guided Central to seven tournament titles during the regular season and a record-setting performance at the Region 9 Tournament.
"It's more than special, more than special, what this group has done. It's a huge accomplishment," Congleton said.
Hamrick transferred to Central last season, but had to sit after not being cleared by the KHSAA. The senior shot a -2, 70 on Tuesday and posted a 74 in the final round.
"I hit a 2-iron all day," Hamrick said of his opening round performance. "That ended up working. So, I just stuck to the gameplan. I can't ask for a better ending than this. I'm just super proud of the guys."
Brady Smith of Christian Academy of Louisville took the individual title with a total score of -4, 140.
Seth Smith of Taylor County (-3, 141) was second.
Sam Guest of Collins (-1, 143) was the only other player who finished under par.
With the title already clinched, the tournament concluded with a rather scary moment.
Congleton was hit in the forehead by a ball as the last group came up No. 18. The coach was left bloodied, but he wasn't about to let that ruin the moment.
"If you've got to take one on the top of the head to get a W, it's worth it," Congleton said. "It's something we will never forget."
