The REPORTER
Last year at this time, Connor McNeely was celebrating a state championship with the Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles.
McNeely got to pick up another big trophy on Wednesday. The Noblesville man won the Indiana Amateur Championship, which took place this week at the Pfau Course at Indiana University. McNeely scored a 211 over 54 holes, finishing two-under par for the entire tournament.
The 2022 Guerin Catholic graduate played great golf throughout all three rounds. McNeely began with a brilliant first round score of four under par 67, the lowest round by any golfer for the tournament. McNeely made three birdies and drained eagles on two holes, No. 9 and No. 16.
McNeely continued his solid form in the second round, where he carded an even-par 71, making three birdies. In the third round, McNeely held off a back-nine run by Lafayette’s Nic Hoffman, who briefly took the lead before McNeely moved back in front. McNeely also showed his mental toughness, shrugging off a double bogey on the 11th hole by putting in a birdie on the 12th hole. He ran out the next six holes with pars on each one.
McNeely played golf for Butler University during his just-completed freshman year, but is transferring to the University of Cincinnati for this next school year.
Hoffman finished second with a 213, going even par for the tournament.
Another Noblesville man finished in the top three at the Amateur. Kenny Cook placed third with a 214 for his three rounds. Cook went under par for his first two rounds, carding one-under 70s each day. He made three birdies in the first round and two more in the second. Cook scored a 74 in his third round, also making two birdies.
Luke Prall, a Carmel graduate now playing at Purdue University, finished in a four-way tie for fourth place with a score of 215. Prall had a great first round, going three under with a 68, draining six birdies along the way. Prall was even par at 71 for his second round (three birdies), and scored a 76 in the third round (one birdie).
One more Noblesville golfer finished in the top 10. Drew Shafer scored 73s in each round to finish with a 219, good for 10th place. Shafer totaled three birdies in the first round, four in the second and one in the third.
Here is a list of Hamilton County results.
- Connor McNeely, Noblesville, 67-71-73=211, 3. Kenny Cook, Noblesville, 70-70-74=214, T4. Luke Prall, Carmel, 68-71-76=215, 10. Drew Shafer, Noblesville, 73-73-73=219, T13. Sam Firebaugh, Carmel, 72-74-75=221; Andrew Rhodes, Westfield, 73-74-74=221, T20. Lucas Beck, Carmel, 77-74-72=223; Alec Cesare, Westfield 75-74-74=223, Caleb Bopp, Fishers 73-76-74=223; Drew Dunkerly, Carmel, 72-73-78=223, T26. Travis Sterrett, Noblesville, 71-76-77=224, T28. Jake Cesare, Westfield 70-81-74=225; Cole Starnes, Fishers, 72-74-79=225, T35. Owen Sander, Carmel, 79-71-78=228; Sam Booth, Carmel, 73-75-80=228, T42. Stephen Kocerha, Carmel, 72-77-80=229, 62. Lane Zedrick, Fishers, 78-77-82=237, T63. Brian Pannell, Carmel, 74-81-83=238, 67. Nolan Hall, Westfield 81-73-85=239.