C.P.’s Lee, Mudd help lead balanced team

Crown Point boys golf coach Del Kutemeier believes this may be one of the most deepest, most balanced and talented teams he’s ever had coaching the Bulldogs.

From top to bottom, the Bulldogs have nine players capable of scoring as the No. 1 golfer in any match, and on many occasions have had multiple players shoot under 40 in a nine-hole round.

Freshman Mike Lee and Junior Pat Mudd have the two lowest averages on the team, but the other seven players are right on their heels.

Comparing the first and ninth golfers, the average scoring differential is only 2.1 shots.

As a freshman, Lee has proven to be one of the strongest local golfers. He shot a 1-under par 35 in a dual meet against Lake Central and Portage.

“I was hitting the ball straight, and I hit eight out of nine greens,” said Lee, who also shot a 35 earlier this season against Boone Grove at Lakes of the Four Seasons.

Kutemeier has been pleased with Lee’s play so far this season.

“He scores very well; he’s a good player,” Kutemeier said. “Depending on the day, he could be a No. 1 or a No. 5 guy. He’s a freshman, so that’s OK. He doesn’t know a lot of the courses, but the guys are helping him out. They are very good teammates to each other, and that’s a great thing.”

One aspect of the team that had to change this season was relying on one person who could consistently lead the Bulldogs in scoring. With the graduation of Nick Grubnich last season, the Bulldogs have more competition with each other in practice, leading to everyone pushing each other to improve, with the goal of making it to state as a team in their minds.

“Everyone will have their rounds down low, like Mike with his 35 (Monday),” Mudd said. “I think we push each other a lot because when we see other people on our team doing well, it definitely makes us want to get up there and do better. It definitely made us all work harder over the summer, knowing we had to take (Grubnich’s) spot. It’s always vying to be that best player, and we always want to have friendly competition with each other.”