Harlan County freshman Matt Lewis earned his first high school golf victory Saturday, shooting a seven-over par 43 in a match against Harlan at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club.

“This win is a testament to the hard work Matt has put in this season. No one has worked harder than he has,” Harlan County coach Greg Lewis said. “He believes in Ben Hogan’s theory that the secret is in the dirt. Matt has practiced with the team and regularly goes back to the range or putting green to put in the extra work. When he gets home he’s either studying film or chipping more balls in our yard. He is one of the longest players in the county off the tee and he has the best short game on the team. When he puts it all together with consistent iron play he is going to start racking up some wins and low scores.”

Alex Creech, a seventh grader, was second with a 50. Harlan’s Carson Murray placed third with a 51. Harlan’s Aiden Johnson was fourth with a 53.

“Alex is just starting to scrape the surface of his talents,” Lewis said. “He also has a great short game. When his physicality matches his skill set he will be getting his own share of wins. He was very consistent tee to green today with just a few shots landing in bad places that cost him some shots. I’ve said it before, but this golf program is in good hands for years to come. Just give these kids time to develop and we are going to have great things in Harlan County golf.”

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Two Harlan County High School golfers placed in the top five in a three-team tournament Thursday at the Wasioto Winds course in Pineville.

Pineville’s Braxton Caldwell was first with a two-under par 34, four strokes ahead of Middlesboro’s Tyler Harris. Harlan County’s Matt Lewis was third with a 39 and teammate Alex Creech was fifth with a 51.

“Tonight was the hardest conditions we have faced in a match this season,” said Lewis. “We played from the two tees with the ball down, which is not improving lies at all. Matt looked great tonight. He had been in a little scoring slump but worked through it to win his last start, and he played even better tonight. He drove the ball incredibly well. His irons were the best they have been all season long, and his short game was good as always. He burned the edge on a few putts or he would have been pushing Braxton for a second consecutive win. Matt has worked hard, and I simply think he was pressing a bit and wanting it a little too much. He just had to relax and not over think it. He is finishing his freshman season very strong.

“Alex continues to impress me every time he tees it up. He has cut 10-15 shots per round since the beginning of the season. He had a couple of untimely pulled drives into penalty areas that gave him a little higher score than he really deserved. Like Matt, he has one of the best short games on the team. He is a bold putter and makes a lot of tough putts. As he grows, his scores are just going to continue dropping lower and lower. As I have said before, I look forward to having the opportunity to work with him for the next few years. The sky is the limit for his golf potential.”

Lewis said Caldwell, a senior whose parents are from Harlan County, would be missed next season.

“I would like to congratulate Braxton Caldwell on winning his last high school event,” he said. “Braxton has been a staple in golf in this area for many years. He is a great golfer and an even better young man. The one thing I have seen more than anything else this season is the quality of the people associated with high school golf in this area. Week in and week out, the kids are doing their best to beat each, but throughout the rounds the laughter and camaraderie they share is incredible. They may all be on opposing teams, but I have not seen a grouping this season where the kids weren’t having a blast with each other.”

Harlan County will conclude its season on Oct. 1 at the at the regional tournament in Somerset.