LEITCHFIELD -- The Cougar golf season came to an end Thursday night as the teams held their annual Awards Banquet.

In addition to the awards, the Cougars said goodbye to senior girls Leslie Hart and Kendra Childress, and senior boys Michael Critchelow, Daniel Dennis and Ryan Bratcher.

Before the start of the festivities, Golf Booster President Melissa Clemons gave a Top-10 list of "Ways That You Can Tell You Have a Child Who Plays Golf." Among the list: You can never find a pen around the house when you need it, but there are hundreds of little, tiny pencils everywhere; you find yourself speaking in hushed tones while watching golf on the television; you find yourself giving encouragement to the golfers you are watching on television; when out for a walk in the neighborhood, you find yourself scanning the weeds for lost balls; after filing with your insurance for hail damage to the house, the adjuster tells you the "hail" in your yard is actually golf balls.

Head Coach Barry Alexander thanked the high school administration for giving him the opportunity to coach the golf teams this year, then thanked all the parents for the time and efforts they put in to having their children in the program. Alexander and assistant coach Reece Grubbs then handed out awards.

All of the golfers received recognition for their efforts during the year in the form of a plaque with the team picture on it. The departing seniors were awarded slightly larger plaques, as well as "Shadow Boxes," filled with the team picture and other memorabilia.

Academic Awards were presented to McClee Manion and Bradley Kessinger, both of whom had perfect 4.0 grade-point averages during the season. The Most Improved Award went to Ryan Bellendir and the Team Spirit Award was presented to Travis Lampton.

Aaron Wilson took home the Most Dedicated Award, and Daniel Dennis took home the Most Improved Attitude Award. The Most Coachable Award went to Michael Critchelow, and the Courage Award went to Ryan Bratcher. Trenton Fleener won the Lowest Average Award.

For the girls, the Most Improved Award went to Michelle Critchelow, while the Courage Award went to Kendra Childress, who joined the team during the season and allowed the girls to compete as a team. Shaina Green won the Attitude Award and Leslie Hart was recognized for Lowest Average. Alexander also re-presented Hart with a personalized golf bag she won last summer for being named Player of the Year in Kentucky by the Pepsi Junior Golf Tour.

Clemons presented the departing seniors with $250 scholarship awards, collected from sponsors, which the seniors will be able to use should they choose to continue their educations in college.