Harlan County junior Cole Cornett, one of the region’s top golfers the past two years, picked up where he left in the opening match of the PIne Mountain Golf Conference on Tuesday at the Indian Hills course in Barbourville as he shot a 36 to tie Barbourville’s Samuel Collins for first place before losing in a playoff.
“I’m glad to see Cole starting the season where he finished from last year. He’s showing great signs of having a special year to remember with possibly making a deep run in the postseason,” Harlan County coach Brendan Rutherford said. “Cole left some shots out on the course today, and he would say the same. I’m proud of how well he stayed focused and showed my younger kids today how to play golf the right way. I’m very excited to see what him and my team have in the future for Harlan County golf. “
“I felt like I played well enough to win but didn’t execute in the end. Samuel is a great player and he showed how good his short game is.,” Cornett said. “I’m really excited for the rest of season and what me and my team can accomplish.”
Barbourville won the team competition with a score of 163. Harlan, off to its best start in several years, was second with a 182. Harlan County and Bell County tied for third with a 190, one stroke ahead of Clay County. Corbin finished with a 196.
“I’m very proud of our boys, not only for how they played today, but how they have bought into practicing and working on their game even during summer break,” said first-year Harlan coach Will Varner. “We have been fortunate enough to grow our program with more kids than ever before, even down to middle school ages. I’m most proud of the way our kids compete for our school. We have kids that are proud to wear the green and white. I’m lucky to be around this group of kids and school.”
Baylor Varner, a senior, led the Green Dragons with a scored 42 to place fifth overall. Caifden Jackson was sent with a 46, while Grant Shelton and Carson Osborne each shot a 47. Eli Freyer finished with a 56.
Carson Clark was second for HCHS with a 46 followed by Mason Garrett with a 50, Sebastian Mosley with a 58 and Jonah Estep with a 59.
Landon Powers led Bell County with a 43, followed by Ayden Smith with a 45, Ty Mays with a 50, Lane Brigmon with a 52 and Cash Hacker with a 58.
Isaac Harris shot a 47 to lead Middlesboro. Emmitt Butler shot a 60.