By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
Almost a month into the high school golf season, many golfers have begun to pick up their respective games and understand some of the sport's nuances; perhaps none more than Hopkins County Central's Heath Williams.
Williams, a senior who has golfed just three years, and the Storm squad placed third during a tri-match at Madisonville Golf and Country Club on Thursday evening.
Muhlenberg County captured first place with a team score of 162. Owensboro Catholic placed second at 179 and Central finished with 185.
Williams fired a 41 on Madisonville's back nine to lead Central. It wasn't among the best scores Williams has posted this season, but he said he's come a long way from last year.
"I've learned a lot about how I play," he said. "I've learned once you hit a bad shot, you have to forget it. You have to think you're going to make every putt you step foot over. I've learned more mentally than anything else."
In addition to the mental aspect, Williams said he has picked up on subtle areas like the contours and slopes of greens. None of his golf knowledge came easily though, he said.
"I worked for it," Williams said. "Every day I was out here, I usually played 27 holes and hit balls, putted, chipped. I've been plugging away at it, practicing as hard as I can."
Williams, a senior who has golfed just three years, and the Storm squad placed third during a tri-match at Madisonville Golf and Country Club on Thursday evening.
Muhlenberg County captured first place with a team score of 162. Owensboro Catholic placed second at 179 and Central finished with 185.
Williams fired a 41 on Madisonville's back nine to lead Central. It wasn't among the best scores Williams has posted this season, but he said he's come a long way from last year.
"I've learned a lot about how I play," he said. "I've learned once you hit a bad shot, you have to forget it. You have to think you're going to make every putt you step foot over. I've learned more mentally than anything else."
In addition to the mental aspect, Williams said he has picked up on subtle areas like the contours and slopes of greens. None of his golf knowledge came easily though, he said.
"I worked for it," Williams said. "Every day I was out here, I usually played 27 holes and hit balls, putted, chipped. I've been plugging away at it, practicing as hard as I can."
On Thursday, fellow senior Andrew Schniepp finished the evening with a 49. Junior Joey Watkins placed second on the team with a 45. Sophomore Landon Griffith shot an even 50 and sixth-grader Jericho Smith carded a 58.
As a first-year coach, Mark Rutledge said he relies on his golfers' personal knowledge of the game and simply helps them stay on track mentally.
"They know how to play, they have played long enough that they know what they're doing," Rutledge said. "It's just reminding them about course management, where they need to put the ball and how."
Rutledge, a casual golfer, said he understands the game and made sure to inform his team how the course would play after Tuesday's heavy rains.
"You remind them the greens are going to be slower," he said. "They're going to hold the shot more. You're going to have to hit the ball closer to the pin."
The little pieces of advice help keep the team focused.
One member who brings plenty of drive and focus is Williams.
"I've never been where I am," Williams said. "This is really the first year I've been able to compete in every tournament I play in and every match I play in. I know every time I go out there, I have a chance to win if I play good."
Williams will have an opportunity to defend his home course at approximately 1 p.m. Saturday when the Storm host the Hopkins County Central Invitational.
As a first-year coach, Mark Rutledge said he relies on his golfers' personal knowledge of the game and simply helps them stay on track mentally.
"They know how to play, they have played long enough that they know what they're doing," Rutledge said. "It's just reminding them about course management, where they need to put the ball and how."
Rutledge, a casual golfer, said he understands the game and made sure to inform his team how the course would play after Tuesday's heavy rains.
"You remind them the greens are going to be slower," he said. "They're going to hold the shot more. You're going to have to hit the ball closer to the pin."
The little pieces of advice help keep the team focused.
One member who brings plenty of drive and focus is Williams.
"I've never been where I am," Williams said. "This is really the first year I've been able to compete in every tournament I play in and every match I play in. I know every time I go out there, I have a chance to win if I play good."
Williams will have an opportunity to defend his home course at approximately 1 p.m. Saturday when the Storm host the Hopkins County Central Invitational.
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