Andrew Caldwell and the Bell County Bobcats are two for two this season in winning Pine Mountain Golf Conference matches after emerging victorious Tuesday at the Wasioto Winds Golf Course.
Caldwell shot a four-under par 32 to win the individual title, defeating Middlesboro’s Tyler Harris by four strokes and Knox Central’s Alex Smith by six strokes.
Bell won the team title at 169, eight strokes ahead of Middlesboro. Hayden Clark was second for Bell with a 43, followed by William Miracle with a 46 and Bub Treece with a 48.
Nick Cox was second for Middlesboro with a 41, followed by Warren Vaught with a 44 and Luke Bayless with a. 56.
Matt Lewis led Harlan County with a 44. Brayden Casolari shot a 46.
“Matt hit the ball much better tonight. The changes we are making in his swing are starting to become normal from him. He had two bad swings, which cost him a couple strokes or he’s in the top five again. His wedge game around the green is exceptional right now. As soon as his ball striking catches up with the rest of his game he’s going to contend for some match/tournament wins,” said Harlan County coach Greg Lewis. “Brayden hit the ball well tonight but just had a couple shots that ended up in a bad position which cost him a bit. He’s getting used to these greens and the longer courses. He’s getting more and more comfortable out here. Again, very soon he’s going to put up some very good scores.”
Aiden Johnson led Harlan with a 47. Logan Murray and Kevin Thomas Lee shot 56 and 58, respectively.
South Laurel won a match on Monday in Pineville with a 171, two strokes ahead of Bell County and 12 ahead of Whitley County.
Whitley County’s R.J. Osborne was the individual winner with a 35, two strokes ahead of Caldwell and three ahead of South Laurel’s Brayden Reed.
Gunnar Sams was next for Bell with a 44, followed by Clark and Miracle with identical scores of 46.
Casolari had a strong performance for HCHS with a 42. Lewis finished with a 50.