WOOD RIVER – While Carter Crow was sophomore at the Alton Tee-Off Classic on Tuesday, Edwardsville trainer Adam Tyler believes he did even better at the Madison County tournament on Thursday.
Two days after Crow hit a career low of 3 under 69 to win the Alton Tee-Off Classic at the Spencer T. Olin Golf Course in Alton, Crow won the Madison County Tournament at the Belk Park Golf Course in Wood River.
“I think today was more impressive than Tuesday because it’s very difficult to get two of your best laps in a row,” said Tyler on Thursday.
It was a 48 hour period that Crow will not forget.
Before his round on Tuesday, Crow’s career low was 2 under 70.
“That feels great. It really is awesome. I was hoping to finish under 5, but 69 is still a great number, ”said Crow.
After picking up his fifth and final birdie of the round at # 10 to go below 5, Crow even played until he had a bogey on each of the last two holes.
Crow admitted that he started rushing towards the end of the round.
“I tried to push. I do not know why. It’s unfortunate, ”said Crow.
Tyler believes Crow will learn from the last two holes.
“When you play a fantastic round and you play a terrible round, these are the two toughest times to play golf,” said Tyler. “He had the round of his life today and it’s hard to see through. It is something that cannot be taught and prepared. You just have to get into this situation, learn from it, and move on.
“I think he became a better player today by punching those two holes. If he had parsed both holes, he would not learn as much as he does. “
Crow finished Thursday with a 33 on the top nine and 36 on the back nine.
Despite the less than ideal conclusion, Crow was in a good mood in the Belk Park clubhouse.
“If you had told me I would have done that, I would not have believed you. I’ve never played a round like this before and it’s pretty great to play it in a row, ”said Crow.
Tyler attributed much of Crow’s success over the past week to his ability to stay on course no matter the situation.
“He did a great job not to get too high and not too low. If he makes a mistake, he knows he’s a good player to come back from, ”said Tyler. “He learns things that cannot be taught.”
There is also the physical aspect of the game.
“He can hit the ball 280 yards and hit it straight. He can beat clubs that other kids on our team can’t yet, ”said Tyler.
Crow’s impressive week followed a mediocre start to the season.
At the season opening Prep Tour Showcase at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club in La Salle, Crow finished 34th with a 6-over 78. He followed with an 11-over 83 at Lincoln-Way West Invite at Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington.
After the two tournaments, which took place over two days, Crow was able to determine a better mental state.
“I was super relaxed and tried not to push. I’m just trying to get pars. Whatever happens, happens, ”said Crow.
Good things are now happening for Edwardsville’s most seasoned returning golfers from last season.
As a freshman, Crow finished second in scoring with an average of 82 and was one of two Tigers to advance from Class 3A Edwardsville Regional at Oak Brook Golf Club. He finished his season in 60th place at the Beijing Sectional.
During the off-season, Crow said he worked a lot on his game.
“I took part in many tournaments over the summer and learned from them to improve my swing. Now it’s more convenient and natural, ”said Crow.
It has paid off so far.
And Crow is allowed to live up to the potential Tyler believes he possesses.
“Last year I thought he could be our number one. We knew we were getting Mason Lewis and Ryan Suhre, who are two of the better newbies in the area, ”said Tyler. “Carter was talking about how we got these two guys and I told him he could be our type.
“I think he has been doing that since the end of last year.”