Ben Tinkle
HAGERSTOWN, Ind. – Ben Tinkle made his decision on Tuesday night.
The Hagerstown senior golfer is headed to Indiana University-East to join the Red Wolves next season after he signed his scholarship offer at Hartley Hills Golf Club in front of his teammates, friends and family.
“This was a tough decision for me,” said Tinkle, who is the son of Ron and Jenny Tinkle. “I had a couple of offers and it came down to what I was most comfortable with.”
Tinkle was impressed with IU-East mentor John Gordon, who is in his third season at the NAIA school that competes in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
“He’s started recruiting some really good players,” Tinkle said of his new coach. “I’m really excited to play over there.”
That excitement has grown since Tinkle became the first Hagerstown boy golfer to qualify for the state finals after posting a 75 during last year’s Muncie Central Regional.
“I’ve wanted to play college golf for awhile,” said Tinkle, who plans on majoring in accounting. “After making it to state, I wanted to move to the next level.”
Tinkle’s current coach was thrilled for his player.
Ben Tinkle of Hagerstown signs his scholarship papers for IU-East on Tuesday, April 5, 2016,
“It’s big for him,” Hagerstown Head Coach Billy Mullin said. “It’s big for our school here in Hagerstown.”
“IU-East is getting the total package,” Mullin added. “A true student-athlete who is mature beyond his years.”
Gordon didn’t need much to be convinced to offer Tinkle a spot with the Red Wolves.
“I watched him in the regional last year,” Gordon said. “You know what it takes to get out of the regional.”
The biggest moment for Gordon was on the ninth hole at the Player’s Club in Yorktown.
“He pulled it into the water,” Gordon said. “It didn’t distract him.”
According to Gordon, Tinkle made a 10-footer to bogey the par four hole.
“He was disappointed he hit it in the water, but he had the mental toughness to step back and get the job done,” Gordon said. “You can’t teach that.”
Hagerstown opens its season on Saturday at the Yorktown Invitational.