Ethan Howell didn’t know what to expect Monday as he traveled to the Alabama Christian Athletic Association State Golf Championship.
Howell, a junior at Victory Christian Academy in Columbus, had plenty of time to think on the three-plus hour drive, although he didn’t have much to go on. He had never played the course at Quail Creek Resort in Hartselle, Alabama, and he never had walked a round of 18 holes.
“I came into the day thinking I was going to be happy not finishing last and being happy to finish,” Howell said.
Howell exceeded his expectations by parring the final two holes to shoot a 103 and win the championship by two strokes.
“I don’t really have words to describe it,” Howell said. “I didn’t expect to win. It was an honor to win it for the school for the first time. I am glad coach (Chris) Hamm picked me to go play. It was really fun.”
Howell said he warmed up on the driving range for about an hour before a shotgun start that had him begin his 18-hole round on No. 3. Howell said two players from Cornerstone Christian Academy and another from New Life Christian Academy were part of his group.
Howell said he started the round with little information about the course. He said he looked at the descriptions of each hole on the markers to give him an idea what he had to do to be successful. Howell said he tried to “lay up” most of the time to put himself in good position.
A good start on No. 3 gave Howell the confidence to have a championship effort.
“It was a tough course. It was really hot,” said Howell, who had to carry his bags and walk the course like the rest of the field.
Howell said he typically practices his game at Elm Lake Golf Course in Columbus with friends Blayze Berry, Banks Hyde, and Seth Harris, who are students at Heritage Academy. Howell also said he sometimes plays at Old Waverly in West Point, too.
Playing on a new course, though, can be an adventure. Howell said he just tried to stay straight on each hole, which could have been a problem for a golfer who said he has had his issues with slicing.
That’s where Howell’s grandfather, David Harrington, who is from Columbus, deserves an assist. Howell said he talked to his grandfather, who is also enjoys golf, at Elm Lake a week before the state championship and was told he had to slow down his swing. Howell said he sometimes gets himself into trouble because he tries to hit the ball as hard as he can and ends up hitting the top of the ball. By slowing his swing down, Howell said he was able to add 50 yards to his drives.
“That was the best driving day I had,” Howell said. “My grandfather told me to slow down my swing and you will hit it far. He told me I didn’t need to swing hard and that I would still hit it far and straight. It was a big difference.”
Howell said he had a tendency to rush his drives the most, but he said he stayed patient all afternoon and had better placement on the green to help set him up for better shots.
Thanks to the “best ball” he played all day, Howell said his confidence was high after birdying No. 3. He said he usually has a good day on the course when he has a successful first hole.
“I knew that is how I needed to stay the whole day and everything would be all right,” Howell said. “I just took my time and played golf.”
That sounds easier said than done, especially since Howell said all of the competitors had to walk the course and carry their bags. He admitted “it wasn’t that bad” the first nine holes, but he said he started to get hot in the middle of the afternoon before he said it “really hit hard” for the final two holes. Fortunately, he was able to par the final two holes, which helped him secure the title.
Still, there was some doubt. Howell said one of the players from Cornerstone Christian Academy kept his scores and he didn’t know there were 19 scores on his card when it came time to tally the final standings. He said he was called over to the scorer’s table several times after the round to help sort out the issue. He said it looked like the player from Cornerstone Christian might have totaled his score after nine holes, which could have accounted for the additional number.
“I was so tired. I was ready to go home,” said Howell, who won by two strokes. “I just told them to give me whatever they wanted to give me.”
Howell said he plans to return next year to try to win another title. He said he hopes to schedule a few more tournaments to help make sure he is sharp.
Howell, who also plays on the school’s football and baseball teams, likely will have to find more time for golf. Even though Howell said he hadn’t talked at length with his grandfather about his victory, he said his grandfather already has told him they need to play together so they can win some hardware in scramble tournaments in the Columbus area.
“I told him I will,” Howell said. “Let’s do it. He is pretty good. He has been playing for a long time.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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