Daniel Love can finally add a region championship to his long list of accomplishments.
The Daviess County senior stayed focused throughout his round, and his steady approach allowed him to pull away late Tuesday afternoon to claim the Region 2 individual title at Owensboro Country Club.
With a couple shots to spare, Love sank a 15-foot putt on hole No. 18 to cap off an even-par round of 72.
“I went 11 holes without a bogey,” Love said. “Coming into the week I had been playing really well. I had a pretty good game plan. I was completely grinding it out. I couldn’t really hit anything close and couldn’t make a putt. I just had to keep hitting fairways and greens.”
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For photos of all local golfers in the tournament, click here.
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Seeing the final putt go down was a relief in more ways than one.
“I really wanted to shoot even par more than anything,” Love said. “It was good finally seeing one go in. It came a good time. I wanted to get one (region championship) before I checked out, so it’s big for me.”
Love’s performance also guided DC to a team victory. Though it was an off day overall for the region-favorite Panthers, their 315 was still good enough to edge past Ohio County’s 320.
Head coach Lars King was happy his team was able to defend their region championship.
“Overall I’m proud of the guys,” said DC coach Lars King. “It’s hard to come out here as the favorite and compete and do something you’re supposed to do. My goal all season was to repeat as region champions. It was a hard fight but they were able to do it, and it was carried by Daniel.”
The Panthers automatically qualify to advance to next week’s state tournament, held Oct. 11-12 in Bowling Green.
Other scoring rounds DC came from Chris Salamah (80), Nick Johnson (80) and Brady Huckleberry (83). Braden Whistle shot an 87.
Owensboro Catholic’s Jakob Wellman pushed Love throughout the day, but the sophomore fell off late. Wellman’s round of 75 still tied for the second-best score of the day, though he officially took third based on a scorecard playoff.
Wellman is the only local player who advances to the state tournament as an individual.
“That’s the most important thing,” he said of making it to state. “I’m pretty disappointed, but next week I think I can do some damage.”
Led by Wellman, Owensboro Catholic finished tied for fifth with a 343. Other scores came from Reece Higdon (82), JT Payne (89) and Sam Mitchell (97). Noah Johnson shot 98.
Owensboro (364) placed 12th with scores from Lucas Lyons (84), Jack Lashbrook (87), James Rhineburger (87) and Will Hume (106).
Apollo (416) placed 17th with scoring from Nathan Payne (101), Aiden Watson (102), Isaac Crabtree (103) and Tanner Klee (110). Ashton Hope shot 122.
Trinity (470) placed 19th behind rounds from Blake McBrayer (95), Landon Huff (98), Aaron Howard (129) and Hunter O’Bryan (148).
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2019 golf coverage is presented by The Pearl Club at The Summit.
