Gerry Switzer and Tom McKenzie would have loved what their grandsons achieved this week on the Crosswinds golf course in Bowling Green. They would have shown it differently. Gerry would have nodded quietly and maybe allowed himself a fleeting smile. Tom would have yelled and perhaps danced a Scottish gig. Chances are that after the team went home they would have toasted their grandsons’ achievements at the club watering hole.
The occasion? Tom’s grandson, Will McKenzie, had coached the Logan County Cougars to a strong sixth place finish among 16 teams in the region that usually is among the toughest in the state outside Louisville and Lexington.
Gerry’s grandson, Davis Switzer, qualified for state as an individual, shooting a 2-over-par 74.
Golf excellence is in Davis’ bloodline. The late Gerry Switzer was the number one player on Russellville’s state championship team in 1970. He had a solid career playing for the Western Kentucky University golf team. He was always in contention for club championships at Russellville Country Club. His son Adam is the assistant coach for the Cougars; he’s Davis’ dad.
Will McKenzie has the skills and experience to coach young golfers. He is one of the now five Cougars who have qualified for state by their play at region. He had a great career playing for Brescia University and qualified for the national tournament as a player. He was enshrined in the Brescia Athletic Hall of Fame this year.
The other three historic state qualifiers besides Switzer and McKenzie are Kelley Jordan, John Thomas Richardson and Braden Engler.
Will had an education in sports through his dad, Terry McKenzie, who was the radio voice of the Cougars on WRUS for several years.
In finishing sixth as a team, senior Riley Shepherd fired a 6-over-par 78 and went into a 5-for-1 playoff to determine the first alternate among individuals but fell short, finishing 2nd in the playoff.
Rounding out the scoring were seniors Jaxon Tichenor with an 81, Karson Rodgers with an 82, and Zach Krohn with an 87. The team total was 315—six shots behind Bowling Green for 2nd place.
Switzer will continue his season Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the first round of the KHSAA State Tournament at Calvert City Country Club in Calvert City.
Greenwood won region with a 304, Bowling Green and Glasgow tied at 309 for second with Bowling Green winning a playoff to advance. 8th grader Rowdy Harris (grandson of professional golfer Kenny Perry and the late Logan Aluminum CEO Mike Harris) of Bowling Green was medalist after defeating Glasgow’s Griffin Jackson in a playoff. They both shot 3 under 69.
Shown in the photo, from left, are Assistant Coach Adam Switzer, Zach Krohn, Riley Shepherd, Davis Switzer, Karson Rodgers, Jaxon Tichenor, and Head Coach Will McKenzie.