GREENFIELD — Mt. Vernon junior Alaina Nugent had an opening-day goal. Fellow junior Meredith Johnson sported her favorite golf club cover for good luck, and Marauders’ senior captain Emily Rollo anticipated the team’s nucleus to have a strong 2020 season.
On Tuesday evening, all three were on right on target at Arrowhead Golf Course in Greenfield.
Led by Nugent’s medalist score of 39 (3-over par), the Marauders defeated Hoosier Heritage Conference rival Pendleton Heights 184-194 during the first IHSAA-sanctioned sporting event in Hancock County since last spring.
With high school sports in hiatus after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown Indiana schools and education-based athletics this past March, the Marauders relished the opportunity to reunite.
The team has been practicing together since last month, but with Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation delaying their first student day until Aug. 17, the Marauders’ season opener had a surreal feel.
“Today, I thought, what am I supposed to do? I don’t have school,” Rollo laughed. “I thought, should I practice? Should I be exercising? Should I warm up?
“It’s just so exciting to be able to represent Mt. Vernon athletics, again. They made sure we would be safe, and that’s the biggest thing, to make sure we’re all safe and healthy. That’s our biggest concern, and it’s great that we were able to come out here and play and have a good time.”
Despite some mildly wet and muddy conditions, along with a light wind gust, the Marauders had three golfers turn in scores under 50 to fend off the short-handed Arabians.
Pendleton Heights was without sophomore Kaitlynn Shamblin and senior Ryann Norris, who didn’t have enough practices logged to compete.
The Marauders took advantage with Johnson shooting a 41, followed by Mackenzie Miner’s 46.
“The puppy dog head cover? Yeah, that’s mine. It looks just like my dog (Henry). I got it as a birthday gift, and I love it,” Johnson said. “It is a superstition. I have to have it. I think we all have our superstitions.”
Her good fortune spilled over to the rest of the lineup.
Rollo carded a 58 to best the Arabians’ fourth golfer, Audrey Jenkins, who shot a 62, while the Marauders’ fifth competitor, Haidyn Caudwell, finished with a 68.
Pendleton Heights’ Grace Wiggins paced the Arabians with a 41. Kailee McKenney had a 44 at No. 2 and Ashley McKenney turned in a 47. Skyler Baldwin posted a 66 in the fifth spot.
Nugent completed the nine-hole match with seven pars, a bogey and one double-bogey. She pared her first five holes to build her lead en route to breaking 40, which she set out to accomplish before teeing off.
“I think I could have done better. I had a couple bad putts that I easily should have shot even, but I have to move on and keep going,” Nugent said.
Johnson and Nugent were both regional qualifiers last season as individuals and are eager to see the team take the next step later this September during the postseason.
Nugent competed on the Junior Golf Tour this summer placing sixth at Pete Dye Golf Course in French Lick during the U16 Age Group Championship. She also participated in the Girls State Junior Championship at Plum Creek Golf Club in Carmel and the Masters Tour Championship at Delaware Country Club in Muncie last month.
“Summer tournaments were fun, but I feel like it wasn’t as fun because it was just me, but now that I’m here, and I know my teammates, it’s so much more fun because I can cheer them on and they can cheer me on,” Nugent said. “It’s a better team atmosphere, which I like.”
The team got off to a solid start on their home course with another nine-hole match at Arrowhead today with HHC foe Shelbyville and 16 more events ahead afterwards.
“I just want them to play golf. More than just seeing them compete and do well, you want to see them develop the right type of character, so when they go on, you’ve helped them grow into a great adult, more than just a golfer,” Marauders’ head coach Mike Miner said.
