Beech Tree News Network

After a slow start during such a rainy season, the Butler County High School Bears Golf program has been picking up wins, while showing tremendous growth in numbers and scoring.

Coach Greg Moore ecstatically emphasized, “It has taken us a few years, but we have 15 golfers out this season and you can feel the boys’ desire to improve while having fun.”

Battling the heat index and rain, the golf team didn’t have the early season participation they would have liked.  However, Coach Moore contributed his numbers to prospecting and having voluntary practices in June.

“Now that the season is in full swing, the beauty of it all is in the making. Double-bogey golfers are becoming bogey-ones and you can see middle school players completing nine holes. Some of these middle school golfers are going to play in 18-hole invitational tournaments this season,” said Moore.

Leading the way for the Bears are juniors Cole and Clay Johnson.

“Both of these guys can hit the ball long, throw darts at the green, and chip/putt. Both are capable of scoring competitive in tournament play,” Moore stated.

Another junior on the team is Justin Hudnall, who has been coming into his own as of late.

“I told Justin, you haven’t played enough to get mad about your game; you got to work hard and good things will come,” Moore stated.

Well, his hard work has taken his scores from near 60 to close to bogey-golf in the last couple of matches.

“Justin has always had a great swing. The difference now, he is striking the ball, just what I told him he needed to focus on,” Moore told us.

Hunter Adcock, a freshman at BCHS, is another returning player who is on the verge of breaking out.

“Hunter has worked diligently to improve over the past couple of seasons and it is going to be like a light switch, just like with Justin, when he can put up some bogey-rounds,” said Moore. 

Bailey Hunt rounds out the starting five. He is a first-year golfer that is athletic and will become a good golfer. Working on his short game, keeping it in play, and keeping his head down when squaring the ball up with the face of the club are areas of emphasis for the sophomore. 

Moore’s other ten golfers are eighth-grade and below, with five seventh-graders.

“The future looks bright for BCHS Golf. These boys are already competitive with one another and can hit the ball well,” said Moore.

“Experience is the key with these young men. I am trying to find everything I can for them to play. There aren’t too many middle school teams in our area at this time,” Moore continued.

Zac Johnson and last year’s late-season addition, Sam Rice, are two eighth-graders in our program. Although Johnson is in his first season out, he has impressed.

“He has played some golf before and is strong. He is walking nine regulation holes and hopefully will compete in tournament play,” Moore said.

Adam Rogers and Carson Miller are both newcomers who are also walking nine holes. Like Johnson, they are likely to play in 18-hole competition at some point based on their growth thus far.

Pacing the middle school team is Andrew Gill and Jonah Swift.

“They are only in the fifth and sixth grade, but both boys have been with me for a long time. Andrew shot a 95 in his first tournament play last season and Jonah has been taking lessons during the offseason.”

“They will battle throughout the season with one another and for many years to come.  But, they do it with such awesome etiquette, already, at such a young age. It is impressive,” Moore stated. 

Also joining the team for the first time is Drew Daugherty, another seventh-grader. “Wow, he is already walking nine holes and will definitely be playing in tournaments. Just getting this young man experience is all he needs. He has a golfer’s makeup to a tee; he is athletic, determined, and confident," Moore boasted.

Seventh-graders Jared Hudnall and Tommy Hunt are also members of the team. Both are working hard to get their pace of play to complete nine holes. Moore is confident with continued effort, they should accomplish this.

Fourth-grader, Dalton Hale, rounds out the team.

“Dalton, like many others, came out during voluntary practice. He is an absolute hoot. I could not keep from having this youngster come out every chance he can. And, one day, he will be a player,” laughed Coach Moore.
 
According to Moore, that is how it works. "Get them out while they are young. We emphasize learning the game and having fun, and bam, the program has a golfer."

The Bears have picked up wins against Todd Central, Apollo, Trinity, Cloverport, Hancock, and Belmont this season. The middle school won a match at Apollo early in the season, as well.