What sounds like some fisherman’s story is in fact a golfer’s nightmare.

Thursday, August 26, 1999

What sounds like some fisherman’s story is in fact a golfer’s nightmare. The Ironton Fighting Tigers let victory slip through their fingers at the Logan Elm Invitational last Thursday.Wheelersburg had a 305 to win the tournament, Gallipolis was second at 307, Portsmouth Notre Dame also had 307 but was beaten by the score of the fifth player, and Ironton was fourth at 308.

"We played pretty well as a team," said Ironton coach Bill Washburn. "This was a tournament that we should have finished first in. We had way too many large numbers on holes. As a team, we had a nine (on a par three), an eight, and five sevens. We have to start eliminating some of these big numbers."

Ironton’s Brad Washburn turned in an outstanding performance as he fired a 2-under par 70 to take overall medalist honors, one better than Brian Bickle of Gallipolis.

Adam Rudmann carded a 78, Zach Christian was one shot back at 79, and Andy Brown had a solid 81.

Also playing for Ironton were Bo McGinnis with an 83 and T. J. Parnell with an 88.

"Brad had an excellent tournament. He finished as medalist in a field of 120 golfers," said coach Washburn. "And he did it despite making two sixes on the back nine. He had the chance to shoot a really low number.

"Adam Rudmann had another good tournament. He’s the only other player we have besides Brad who has high school experience. Zach Christian had a fine round despite starting off with a seven. Sometimes a young player had a tendency to give up if they start bad, but Zach kept his head and ended up with a good score."

Coach Washburn said the scores by Brown, McGinnis, and Parnell were the result of a few bad holes.

Ironton played in a duel match again Cabell Midland on Monday and had an impressive 159 team score as Esquire Country Club, but still lost as Midland scorched the course for a 133 score. Midland’s B team shot a 163.

Washburn and Brown shared low scores for Ironton with a 38. Christian had a 41 and Rudmann shot a 42. McGinnis had an 83 and Parnell 44.

Zach Baldwin shot 34, Ken Carter 35, Justin Fisher and Scott Redman 37s, and Bob Brandon 38 for Midland.

Ironton plays in the Huntington Invitational Saturday.