On the Seymour golf team, they don’t believe in having a No. 1 and No. 2.

In their first three outings on the links, senior Brady Marshall and sophomore Keaton Simpson have finished neck and neck.

At the Seymour Invitational, to open the season, both shot an 85.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]

In a dual with Southwestern (Hanover), the two finished as medalists with 37s.

Saturday at the Floyd Central Invitational, Marshall carded an 81 while Simpson totaled 82.

While the numbers in the scorecard compete with one another, there’s no mistake the golfers are rooting for each other.

“We always give each other crap when we’re playing together,” Simpson said smiling. “We push each other each and every day to get better. I love him to death and would do anything for him, and I think he’d do the same for me.”

While they’ve only been on the team a couple years together, the two have grown as friends in the process.

“I think one and two are just numbers, they both want to make each other better,” Owls coach Jim Hoffman said. “When one does something well the other one wants to also. They’re competing but wanting to make each other better. They’ve done that on their own. There has been some positive things out of that and we have a great atmosphere going right now.”

Marshall and Simpson also battle in the practice rounds.

“Keaton and I, I can’t think of a practice where we haven’t shot within two strokes of each other,” Marshall said. “More times than not we end up tied. I can have a four shot lead on Keaton with three holes to play and we tie, and vice-versa.

“I don’t view it as a No. 1 and No. 2, I view it as five players every time we go out. We’re very close right now, but I hope we keep going at the same pace for lowering (scores).”

Hoffman said that he has the two also push the other members of the team.

“We have always said that golf is a team sport,” he said. “We are all pushing and pulling for each other. They have great personalities and get along great. It’s really nice having those two — they compliment each other. They’re definitely the leaders on the team.”

At last year’s sectional hosted by Indiana University, Marshall and Simpson each shot 77s to advance to the regional at Champions Pointe in Henryville.

Marshall finished four strokes short of a state berth with a 77 while Marshall was four back.

In the offseason, Simpson traveled to tournaments to improve his skills.

“I really worked on my long game, drivers and wedges a lot,” Simpson said. “Now I need to focus on my putting, because it’s not the best right now. I played in a couple Mountain Dew tournaments over the summer and won one shooting a 72.”

On top of playing, Marshall signed to play collegiately with University of Saint Francis in November.

Marshall said that the stresses are off this season, knowing he will compete in college.

Neither of the golfers are happy with their scores right now, which have taken a hit with the weather, but they expect to shoot in the low 70s again soon.

“I don’t even know how to explain it, it was probably the worst two weather tournaments I’ve played in for my career here,” Marshall said. “With the conditions we had here and down at Valley View, you just have to remind yourself everyone else is dealing with. The one who handles it best will shoot a decent score.

“I’m looking for all our scores to drop when the weather breaks next weekend.”

Simpson added: “It’s going to have to be under par, there are too many good kids this year in the sectional. I want a 71 or 72 if not high 60s. That’s where I plan on being at this season.”