Highlands Boys Golf Wins Another Tournament

Muller, Gabbard Place in Top Five for Third Tournament

Highlands junior KJ Toole follows through on a shot in the Northern Kentucky Shootout on Monday.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys golf team won a second tournament on the young season by 11 strokes in the 18-team Model Invitational on Monday.

That marks the second tournament win in three tournaments. The tournament took place at the University Club at Arlington in Richmond. It is the home course of the Eastern Kentucky University golf teams.

Highlands shot a 301 to win the tournament with all four scorers shooting 83 or below. Clay County finished second shooting 312 and 8th Region rival Grant County took third with 314.

"We played well," said Bert Richey, Highlands Head Coach. "It's well-manicured. It's a really nice course. That's why we go. It's a well-ran event."

Richey said the course had some water and sand traps. Avoiding them goes back to practice.

"Our kids are doing a good job of playing away from trouble," Richey said. "(They're) keeping the ball in play and avoiding the big numbers."

Highlands senior Justin Gabbard shot a two-under 70 on the par 72 course to tie for second and senior Luke Muller shot a one-under 71 to finish fourth. This marks the third top-five finishes in three tournaments for the dynamic duo.

"Every shot matters. I think everyone on the team knows that this year," Gabbard said. "It's really good that we've matured. With some of those top-fives, we're not even hitting the ball that great. That's how mentally strong we are this year as a team."

Junior Jack Schneider had another strong outing with a 77 and sophomore Joel Craft shot an 83. The fifth golfer in Eighth Grader Hank Shick shot a 93.

Highlands plays in the Cooper Invitational at Boone Links on Tuesday. Tee time is 7:40 a.m. for the first Highlands group. The Bluebirds will have two teams in the tournament.

Golf, Girls:
Highlands Plays in Northern Kentucky Shootout:

The Bluebirds shot a 377 in the Northern Kentucky Shootout at Lassing Point Golf Course in Union. Highlands finished fifth out of five teams. Cooper shot a 328 to win the event.

Highlands senior Ellie Rowland shot an 83 to lead the way and junior KJ Toole shot an 86. Eighth Grader Bailey Markus shot a personal-best 95 and Eighth Grader Jenna Richey shot a personal-best 113.

Highlands plays in the Grant County Invitational at Eagle Creek Country Club in Dry Ridge.