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Bluffton, Ind.
June 11, 2005

By Sarah Pulliam
More than three hours of rain delays caused a disappointing end to Norwell’s golf season.
Senior Justin Imel shot an 80 while his cousin, junior Kyle Imel carded a 82, representing Wells County in the state regionals Friday in Muncie.
To advance to state finals, the Imels had to score at least a 74.
“I think it was my third worst score ever,” Justin said. “It was going well untill the rain delay and then I just fell apart.”
The Imels began the tournament around 8 a.m. and both finished the first hole on the upswing with birdies. Justin finished the first nine holes with a 37 while Kyle finished with a 38.
Lightening caused a three hour rain delay at 11 o’clock, right after the golfers finished the first nine.
After the announcement was made to continue the tournament, families pulled out colorful umbrellas to watch the competition in sprinkling rain. Ducks emerged from the water to plant themselves on the green.
Justin received penalty strokes for hitting the ball out of bounds twice during the last nine holes.
“Hitting out of bounds and not making any putts frustrated me today,” he said.
Justin had never played Muncie’s The Player’s Club before this week.
“They only had one practice round before this,” said Coach Judy Ault. “It made a big difference, I think.”
Kyle double-boggied quickly after the rain delay to raise his score.
“I played some poor golf today,” he said after the game. “Everything went wrong I guess.”
Ault said it was difficult to get back into focus after the delay.
“Kyle didn’t get a break all day long,” Ault said. “Putts just wouldn’t fall.”
“I don’t think they played to their capabilities,” said their Grandpa Bob Imel. “I think the rain had an effect and took the momentum away from them.”
Imel and Ault took turns watching the Norwell cousins compete.
“I always enjoy watching them play,” Imel said.
Justin played the tournament with golfers from Union City and Tri highschools while Kyle played with golfers from Hamilton Southeastern and Wapahani highschools.
Noblesville High School won the tournament with a score of 296. Carmel High School’s Peter O’Neill scored the highest with a 70.
Justin’s and Kyle’s different personalities were displayed throughout the tournament.
While Kyle rarely spoke to anyone and focused on the tournament with his eyebrows burrowed in his forehead, Justin chatted occassionally with his two friends from Norwell.
Kyle showed emotion through his body language, shaking his head or fist after each shot while Justin verbally expressed frustration orsatisfaction after each shot.
Both golfers’ families and friends were there to support them.
“I feel like maybe I let them down but I'm really glad they're here,” Kyle said.
Ault said she will miss Justin when he leaves Norwell to play golf for Huntington University next year.
“His determination and his competativeness is going to be hard to match,” she said.“Norwell has never seen anyone come to regionals four years in a row so that’s Norwell history right there.”
Kyle said it was unfortunate Justin didn’t make it to state his senior year.
“It was fun playing with him for 3 years,” he said. “It’ll be different not having him there.”
Although the IHSAA season is over for Kyle, he plans to compete in eight to ten tournaments this summer.
“I want to get experience and come back next year to be even better,” he said. “I just want another shot at this next year, and I want to go to state.”
Ault is positive about next year’s golf team.
“There are some good freshman coming on and if the underclassmen practice all summer, we should have a strong team next year,” she said. “Hopefully next year, we'll have the whole team here instead of just two.”