The Madison men’s golf team made a strong showing last year, advancing to the IHSAA state finals at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana. With a lineup of dedicated and talented golfers, the Cubs finished 18th overall in the state, bidding farewell to junior Henry Ashley who moved to North Carolina, and seniors Clayton Benkert, Luke Barron, and Jayce Sharp.
The Cubs’ journey to the state championship began early in the year. From January through the start of the season, the team honed their skills with relentless dedication. They practiced in simulators, braving harsh winter weather to sharpen their game on the course.
As the season progressed, the Cubs were ready to showcase their efforts at the Madison Invitational. Jayce Sharp provided a memorable highlight by sinking a long putt for an eagle on hole 15. Reflecting on the moment, Sharp said, “I was glad to be able to reach the green in 2 and put some precision with the shot. I had around a 15-foot downhill putt, and I’ve been practicing downhills, so I was confident going up to it. I gave it the best putt I could, and it happened to go in.” The Cubs won the Madison Invitational, with Landon True earning medalist honors.
Next came the sectional championship, hosted by Sunrise Golf Course in Madison. The Cubs successfully defended their title, going back-to-back as IHSAA sectional champions. Their sights were then set on the regional tournament at Champions Pointe in Henryville, Indiana, a course designed by Fuzzy Zoeller. Despite some challenging moments, the Cubs secured a third-place finish, earning a spot in the state championship. Assistant Coach and MCHS hall-of-famer Landon Conner said, “The first thing running through my mind was pure joy. The joy wasn’t for me though. It was for the whole team.” Conner, who had experienced the state finals as a player, added, “I remember how amazing it was when I was a player to go to the state finals, so I was extremely happy for them.” Reflecting on the growth of the team, Conner said, “As a coach, I was also extremely proud. All the hard work everyone put in, even after hours, paid off. It’s a great feeling.”
The state finals at Prairie View presented a tough challenge for the Cubs. After two rounds, emotions ran high as Head Coach Chris Conner thanked each player for their efforts. Reflecting on the experience, Conner said, “I felt like all the hard work everyone put in the last three years paid off. It was satisfying seeing the kids make our goal.” While the Cubs didn’t achieve the result they had hoped for, they knew they had earned their place among the state’s best.
As the season ended, the Cubs’ top five players left a lasting legacy. Though some have graduated, others remain involved with Sunrise Golf Course, and the team is already preparing for another shot at postseason glory next year.
