Colton Watson played three rounds of golf in three days June 16-18 at Prairie View, the last two taking place in the IHSAA state finals.
The next day he was in Lafayette trying to qualify for the US Junior Amateur and then he circled back to Country Oaks in Washington on that Friday, site of the regional the week before, to earn a spot in the Boys State Junior Championship.
That next Monday and Tuesday (June 23-24), he was back at West Lafayette for the State Junior Championship, qualifying for match play after two rounds.
He was knocked out in the first round, but that left plenty of time for him to compete in the Indiana State Am starting three days later on the same course. He shot a 151 to miss the cut for the third round by just two strokes.
It was an event he had qualified for in Terre Haute back on June 8, the day before the Bloomington North Sectional.
That kind of workload is really nothing new for Watson, the 2025 H-T Boys Golfer of the Year. The Bloomington South junior has been putting in the off-season work for many years now, but this season, it was as important as ever with his promotion to the No. 1 spot for the Panthers.
“Colton competes in those tournaments and plays at the highest level,” South coach Dustin Carver said. “He’s playing in those tournaments to get that type of experience. So going into the high school season, he’s not having any of those worries about playing and competing against the best.
“It’s just a comfort level he has walking into the high school season.”
Watson helped pull South to a Conference Indiana title, a sectional title with a 68 to earn medalist honors and then led the Panthers back to state, needing every stroke to break a tie for third. He finished in the top 50 at state. All the prep work and the support over the years made it possible to fuel his love for golf.
“He obviously has a great team around him,” Carver said. “His parents are awesome people who are willing to sacrifice their time, effort and money to provide opportunities for him. I’m there supporting him and so is Craig Bowden, his swing coach. It’s all key to his success.”
Watson also went from role player to leader in his third year as a varsity regular. He got off to a slow start scoring wise, but got rolling in the second half and into championship season. His calm demeanor led South past the doubters and back to state.
“He watched Happy (Gilmore), Connor (Byon) and Nick (Bellush),” Carver said. “He had tremendous leadership and he saw what he had to do knowing those guys are gone.”
Maturity played a big role in that. The ball-striking has been there for a long time. But in the past, Carver noted, one bad shot might lead to another.
“Now, if he makes a mistake, he knows his game is good enough to get that back,” Carver said. “You’ve got to have that confidence and believe in yourself. Golf is a lonely game, so you have to have that sense of belief.”
College coaches are starting to believe in him, too, as his recruiting picks up.
That confidence and self-belief has taken him a long way,” Carver said. “Certain people who step in those positions are scared of success or failure. But he stepped into that role and lit it up.”
2025 Herald-Times All-Area Boys Golf Team
Aidan Bomba, South, Sr.
Averaged an 82 in the No. 3 slot for the Panthers. Shot a 79 at sectional and made a fifth straight trip to state possible for the Panthers with a 77 at regional. Had a final round 85 at state.
Hogan Conder, North, Sr.
Carried a 79.5 average through the season. Shot 76 at sectional, 85 at regional, 83 at Conference Indiana. Honorable mention last year.
Carson Gady, South, Jr.
Carried a 79 average as Panthers’ No. 2 man. Conference Indiana champion with a 72, had an 82 at sectional and 79 at regional. Went 82-82—164 to tie for 70th at state finals. Honorable mention last year.
Owen Gerber, South, Sr.
Only year in the varsity lineup and made it count with an 81 average, shooting 74 for third at Conference Indiana, 79 at sectional and a big 77 at regional to help Panthers make state.
Teigen Hulbert, Edgewood, Fr.
Had a strong first year of high school golf, averaging 79 to lead the Mustangs. Shot 79 at sectional to earn one of the individual spots to regional where he shot 80.
Colton Watson, South, Jr.
H-T Golfer of the Year took over Panthers’ role as No. 1 and had an area best 76 average. Fired a 68 to win a sectional title and had a 74 at regional. Tied for 45th at state with a 78-79— 157. Had a 75 for fourth at Conference Indiana Tournament. Repeat All-Area.
HONORABLE MENTION: Jake Cunningham, Owen Valley, Jr. (40.9); Zayne Dwigans, Edgewood, Sr. (83); Alec Freund, North, So. (81.7); Calvin McDonald, Edgewood, Sr. (83); Rex Speer, North, Jr. (83.5); Roman Valentine, Eastern Greene, Sr. (83); Owen Wisley, South, Jr. (83).
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: ‘He lit it up’: South’s Colton Watson leads All-Area Boys Golf Team
Reporting by Jim Gordillo, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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