ELWOOD, Ind. — Anderson’s Morgan Nadaline was disappointed Saturday after her round in the Madison County Girls Golf Tournament at Cattails Golf Club in Elwood.
It wasn’t because the Indians’ No. 1 didn’t win medalist. She wrapped up that honor for the third straight year with a score of 73.
Nadaline just felt her play wasn’t on par with rounds earlier in the season.
“It really wasn’t too great. I was really disappointed,” Nadaline said. “I had a couple holes there that just threw me off.”
It’s only the second time this season Nadaline’s been over par. The first was an invitational where she shot 1-over. She was 3-over Saturday since the field played the front nine twice, making par 70.
“I’ve struggled with my irons and my driver the past week. And that’s really hurt me,” Nadaline said.
The Indians junior still managed to edge out Pendleton Heights’ Emily Tilton, who shot a 75 to make the all-county team and lead the Arabians to the county title.
“If you had told me she was going to shoot 75 when we were at the driving range last night, I’d have said, ‘Was that the front nine or the back nine?’” Arabians coach Tom Harvey said. “She’s a grinder. She plays golf year-round. She really works at it. And she found her swing this morning and played great.”
PH held a three-shot lead over Lapel with one group left on the course. After the final group finished and each team’s high score was eliminated, the Arabians were 11-point victors with a 359.
“We actually had a girl that’s been playing that got hurt, so we were a little concerned,” PH coach Tom Harvey said. “We had some girls step up and really give a good effort. That was the difference as it turned out.”
One of those girls was senior Abby Wright, who shot 50 on both sides to seal the win for the Arabians. Harvey likened the effort to the Colts’ “Next Man Up” philosophy.
“Our only senior probably had one of the best rounds of her year,” Harvey said. “That was the turning point and I’m really proud of her.”
Thoughts for all teams now turn sectional, which are just a few weeks away. The Arabians were able to advance to regional last year, a feat they would like to repeat. But with Hamilton Southeastern, who recently beat PH by 40 strokes, and Noblesville area teams in the mix, Harvey knows the Arabians have a tough task ahead.
“359 is about 12 shots better than we’ve shot all year,” Harvey said. “If we can get that down a little bit, one of our goals is to get out of sectional. We’ll work toward that.”
Nadaline will be back on the course as well, working to earn another berth into the state finals.
“I just really want to try to work on my swing and hit the ball like I have been the past couple weeks,” Nadaline said. “I’ve struggled this week. So I’ll just try to work the next few days on getting it back.”
