CM Mixon recently made a college decision and got a new set of irons that is changing his game. On top of that, his South Warren teammates are helping him out with consistently dropping scores each week.

Mixon and the Spartans are at the top of the leaderboard through the first nine holes of the VanMeter Cup after the completion of round one Monday at Bowling Green Country Club.

Mixon has a one stroke lead at 4-under 32 and the Spartans have a three-stroke team lead over Bowling Green.

“Our team has been growing and getting stronger,” Mixon said. “I think that’s why our scores are improving.”

Round two of the tournament determined to crown the county/district champion between the five schools in Warren County will resume next Monday at Bowling Green Country Club. Mixon was one of three Spartans to shoot 37 or better for a team score of 146. With Mixon’s 32, Tyler Earnhardt added an even-par 36 and Chase Hodges shot 1-over 37.

Mixon recently announced his commitment to play college golf at the University of Louisville. That decision came Aug. 10, right around the time a new set of clubs was delivered.

Until that point, Mixon had been playing with clubs that no longer fit him. His swings were slower and he had to choke down with his grip for better control. But Mixon still won three tournaments in the summer portion of the schedule with those clubs.

He’s currently 10th in the Golf House Kentucky All-State points standings and feels confident his game will improve even more after 11 days working with the new set.

“It makes a huge difference,” Mixon said. “I can now do what I want with the golf ball. My iron play and wedge play has completely changed. My biggest thing for now is getting in the fairway. If I get it in the fairway, I’m going to be going long.”

Bowling Green’s Clark McDougal hit every fairway and every green during his nine-hole evening Monday and sits one shot back from Mixon at 3-under.

Purples senior Collier Curd, fifth in the All-State rankings, shot even par, Tristan Carter shot 39 and Charlie Reber shot 41 to round out the Purples’ team score at 149.

“With Clark at 33, it keeps us in the ballgame,” said Bowling Green coach Adam Whitt, whose Purples won the VanMeter Cup last year. “When (South Warren) gets 36 and 37 out of their Nos. 2 and 3, it makes it difficult to catch. Clark doing what he did at least puts us in reach to show up next week anyway.”

Greenwood senior Allison Wheeler was the only girl to shoot under par at the VanMeter Cup. Wheeler fired a 1-under 35 to help the Lady Gators to a 163 and a nine-stroke lead over South Warren.

Spartans sophomore Faith Martin, ranked No. 1 in the All-State points standings, shot 40 on the first nine of the tournament.

Emma Harmon shot 39 and Emily Morgan shot a 40 to keep Greenwood’s score down.

“It’s been two weeks since we played, so I’m happy with where we are,” Lady Gators coach Kevin Clark said. “We have two more chances to play between now and (next Monday) and then if we can come out here and put up a similar number, hopefully we’ll be in pretty good position.

“I know South Warren is going to come out and play well. A 40 for Faith is an anomaly. She’ll come back and shoot 33 or 34 next week and that’ll be the difference.”

VanMeter Cup Standings

Boys

1. South Warren, 146

2. Bowling Green, 149

3. Greenwood, 160

4. Warren East 229

Girls

1. Greenwood, 163

2. South Warren, 172

3. Bowling Green, 220

Boys Individual

1. CM Mixon, South Warren – 32 (-4)

2. Clark McDougal, Bowling Green – 33

T3. Collier Curd, Bowling Green – 36

T3. Tyler Earnhardt, South Warren – 36

5. Chase Hodges, South Warren – 37

Girls Individual

1. Allison Wheeler, Greenwood – 35 (-1)

2. Emma Harmon, Greenwood – 39

T3. Faith Martin, South Warren – 40

T3. Emily Morgan, Greenwood – 40

5. McKenna Stahl, South Warren – 41

– Follow sports reporter Elliott Pratt on Twitter @EPrattBGDN or visit bgdailynews.com.