Slow start; big finish

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In his final two years on the links, he filled the role as the team’s anchor.

Relying on his consistent play, a positive attitude and leadership, Brady Marshall filled a number of roles for the Seymour boys golf team.

With all of his accomplishments this past spring, The Tribune has named Marshall the 2016 Jackson County Boys Golfer of the Year for the second straight year.

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“For two years, Brady has been leading the team from start to finish,” Owls coach Jim Hoffman said. “He’s a role model and leader. For the kids to look up to that, it’s really important, especially for where we want to have the program to go. I think what he has done will help us three or four years down the road.”

Like every other golfer, Marshall had to battle the elements on the course to start his senior season.

The first few tournaments, he shot in the low 80s — far from where he expected to score.

“I got off to a slow start, like I always seem to do,” Marshall said. “Three or four tournaments into the year, I shot in the low 80s. My number consistently dropped after that.”

Once the weather broke, Marshall buckled in for the remainder of the season.

He would drop his overall average to 78 and consistently hit 4- to 6-over-par.

One of his better performances was May 7, shooting a tournament third-best score of 75 among a 17-team field at the Bloomington North Invitational.

Marshall said his long and short game came together, even though he still thought they could have been better.

“The entire year, my driver was pretty good,” he said. “I couldn’t have hit the ball better than I was (off the tees). My short game, I felt like, it was the best of my high school career.”

At Indiana University’s course for sectional, Marshall scored a 77 (39-38) for 6-over-par to advance to the regional at Champions Pointe in Henryville.

“Both times, it was kind of a grind at IU’s course this year,” Marshall said. “At sectional, I probably should have shot 85 with how I hit the ball. I think knowing I was a senior, I wasn’t ready to go home.”

Marshall concluded his high school career with a 78 at the regional, narrowly missing advancing to state as an individual, falling four strokes shy of the fifth and final qualifying spot.

One of the strongest parts of Marshall’s game was his ability to stay mentally focused, Hoffman said.

“He has it all together up top. He’s even-keeled,” Hoffman said. “You can see the frustration sometimes on his face, but most of the time, you can’t tell. Brady always bounced back on the course. I think the last hole epitomized his career, getting a birdie at the regional on the toughest hole (No. 18) in Indiana at regional.”

While his time at Seymour has come to an end, Marshall will continue his career at the University of St. Francis.

Marshall said his roommate is Columbus East’s No. 1 graduated golfer, Austin Proffitt.

“I’m just looking forward to the experience,” Marshall said of the upcoming season. “It will be completely different than high school golf. I’m going to get a lot better and look forward to the challenge.”

Marshall plans on studying business accounting.

Over the summer, Marshall is playing in numerous junior tournaments before he joins St. Francis in August.

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Seth Berry, Brownstown Central, senior

9/18-hole averages: 44/88

Accomplishments: Regional qualifier, All-Mid-Southern Conference, BC most valuable golfer award 2016.

Hunter Browning, Brownstown Central, sophomore

9/18-hole averages: 41/84

Accomplishments: All-Mid-Southern Conference, three-time medalist, BC most improved award 2016.

Tyler Luedeman, Crothersville, senior

9/18-hole averages: 43/89

Accomplishments: Tigers low medalist award 2016.

Keaton Simpson, Seymour, sophomore

9/18-hole averages: 39/78

Accomplishments: Four top-10 finishes, tournament co-medalist once, dual match medalist three times

Tyler Bullard, Seymour, sophomore

9/18-hole averages: 41/88

Accomplishments: Dual match medalist twice

Cory Stuckwisch, Trinity Lutheran, junior

9/18-hole averages: 40/80

Accomplishments: Set school record with 73 at New Castle tournament, Cougars MVP award 2016.

Chad Stuckwisch, Trinity Lutheran, junior

9/18-hole averages: 42/87.

Accomplishments: Cougar Award 2016.

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2016 Jackson County Boys Golfer of the Year

Brady Marshall, Seymour, senior

  • 18-hole average: 79
  • 9-hole average: 39
  • Regional qualifier
  • Medalist five times
  • Finished top-five in three tournaments

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Lute Lahrman, Brownstown Central, senior

Jackson Wagner, Brownstown Central, senior

Noah Beaty, Seymour, junior

Jacob Keith, Trinity Lutheran, freshman

Jonathan Keith, Trinity Lutheran, junior

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