Braves get revenge on #15 Columbia City, shoot 303 at Noble Hawk
Decatur
Daily
Democrat
The very best teams in the Fort Wayne area gathered Saturday at Noble Hawk for the Leo Invite and the Bellmont Braves put together one of their all-time lowest rounds with a 303 and finished in third place behind Homestead ( 287) and Leo (294).
The total team effort for Bellmont produced a big victory as they beat Columbia City by a single stroke. The Eagles are currently ranked #15 in the state and were sixth as a team at last year’s State Finals.
“I am really proud of these young men,” said an excited coach Ty Razo Saturday. “The hard work they put into their game continues to pay off. It means something to finish ahead of Columbia City.”
The tournament marked the first time in recent memory that the Bellmont team put four scores in the 70s on a tournament leaderboard
Winston Brown led the team with a 74 on the par-71 course in Noble County. Just behind Brown was freshman Owen Minnick with a 75 and Ike Ruble with a 76.
The key to beating Columbia City was Ben Razo’s 78, says coach Razo.
“That is his best round ever,” said Razo of his senior No. 4. “He was mentally tough the whole day and didn’t let a triple stop him after he was even through the first six holes. He was consistent the whole day.”
Razo also said that he and his staff had been waiting for the whole team to click at once.
“Owen ( Minnick) stepped up in a big way. It is all about consistency down the stretch with tournament season coming now.”
The Braves were set to play rounds Monday and Tuesday against conference and sectional opponents before taking three days of practice to prepare for the NE8 title. Coach Razo and his boys believe the team has a strong shot to contend for the team title in 2022. Conference will be played at Cobblestone Golf Course.