Zack Kent, 31, claimed the Wabash Valley Classic Sunday night at Hulman Links Golf Course with a score of 285 overall just ahead of Mike Ball at 289.
The last hole was a challenge for Kent as he lost his shoes to the mud before retrieving them a few moments later. He said he didn’t realize how soft it was going to be until he was about halfway in.
“Grabbed the ball, when I was trying to make the turn back up the hill, that’s when I lost them,” Kent said.
Kent had high praise for the golf course and noted the rain that came in prior made it a little easier to get it up and down.
As far as winning the tournament, Kent made mention of how the Wabash Valley Classic is one of the premier events in the area. He said tournament organizer Eddie Kanizer does a great job of putting it on.
“The championship flight is full of great players in the area,” Kent said. “It’s always a great feeling coming out and being on top at the end.”
Kent is a teacher at South Vermillion High School as he currently teaches business but is a graduate of West Vigo High School where he was a two-sport athlete. He played basketball and baseball before starting to practice golf.
“I think I hit like five greens all day but got it up and down quite a bit, and that practice and time management you learn as an athlete and then you take it into that, the golf,” Kent said.
Going back to teaching this week, he said there are some students who he knows will congratulate him and ask him how he did. He said it’ll be fun to talk about and also to show his daughter, who competes in rodeos, that practice makes a difference.
The runner-up, Ball, said he felt like he played aggressive all day, and maybe too aggressive at times. He also thought he putted the ball well and noted the greens are in great shape.
He acknowledged the wind was somewhat of a factor.
Kanizer said the weather made it complicated during the week, but got lucky by getting both Saturday and Sunday in and pretty much dry.
“I’m thankful we got it in and pretty decent conditions for what was forecasted,” Kanizer said.
On Sunday afternoon, it was quite windy and that makes competing more difficult, Kanizer said. But on the positive side, he noted the wind dried up some of the weekend’s moisture from the rain.
Overall, Kanizer said the tournament has been great.
“I think after the first two days we had eight guys, maybe 9 under par, so that’s a pretty competitive field,” Kanizer said.
Kanizer also praised the tournament sponsors, the four participating golf courses that hosted the four rounds, and those with him throughout the tournament that helped it succeed.
