Harlan County put together such a dominating performance Tuesday in winning the second Pine Mountain Golf Conference tournament of the season at the Wasioto Winds course in Pineville that it was Black Bear against Black Bear at the end when it came down to the medalist honors.
Brayden Casolari and Cole Cornett each shot a two-under par 34 to tie in regulation with Casolari winning in a playoff. Alex Creech was third with a 38 and Matt Lewis was fifth with a 42 as HCHS was a 30-stroke winner over Middlesboro in the team competition with a 148.
“Tonight was as complete of a performance as I have ever seen in conference play. Tee to green, we were completely on our game,” Harlan County coach Greg Lewis said. “We hit it in the right places. We chipped it close when we needed to, and made putts. This is the potential I have seen in these kids.
“I know golf records aren’t kept as detailed as other sports, but I have to believe this is the lowest team score in a match in school history. As Ive said all year, as we work and continue to play the right way we have a ton of potential. As good as we were tonight we still have room to improve.”
Aiden Johnson led Harlan as he finished seventh with a 43. Kevin Thomas Lee shot a 59. Caiden Jackson, of Harlan, shot a 64 in the junior varsity match.
Knox Central and Bell County also participated in the tournament.
“Brayden and Cole were in the zone. The hit the ball great and rolled the ball very well. Cole knew where he stood after eight holes and stepped up and made a very impressive eagle to force the playoff. Brayden got him on the first playoff hole, but there are many wins in Cole’s future,” Lewis said. “Alex came out for his first match of the year and was very impressive. He hit the ball great, he chipped and putted well, and is still a bit rusty. He’s got some very good scores in him this year. Matt played better than his score showed. He hit the ball great and his short game was very impressive usual. He had two bad swings on his last two holes which cost him several shots. He won our first match at Three Ridges and he’s got more wins in him this season. Once the weather cooperates a little and lets us get some consistent work in on the course, I think our best is yet to come. I’m very excited about the potential this team has going forward the rest of the season.”