The REPORTER
With the top three teams in the state and another ranked in the top 10, it’s no surprise that there were some incredible scores out of the Hamilton County boys golf meet Friday at Pebble Brook.
Third-ranked Westfield, the team champion, finished with a four under par 276. No. 2 Guerin Catholic was the team runner-up, carding a one under 279. No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern scored an even par 280, but had two of its golfers involved in a playoff for medalist – after each went four under for 66s.
In all, six golfers were under par and the next four were even. The Shamrocks were led by Jake Cesare, who tied for third place individually with a three under 67. Will Harvey was fifth with a two under 68, while freshman Brayden Worthington was even 70, putting him in a four-way tie for seventh place.
All three of those golfers made five birdies at the meet. Ryan Cesare had three birdies on his way to a 71.
“In this county and on this golf course, you got to take it low,” said Westfield coach Josh Bryant. “Something we did today well was, we started strong. The guys held in there with a little hiccup in the middle of the round. Our finishing holes of 17, 18, one and two, we scored really well, made a couple birdies coming in. The guys really held their composure and competed today and they were excited to play.”
Eli Wessel led the Golden Eagles with a 67, tying him for third place. Leo Wessel scored a 69 for sixth place, while Owen Nielsen’s 70 put him in the seventh-place tie. In the birdie count, Eli Wessel made four, Leo Wessel had three and Nielsen drained two. Will Parenteau and Gabe Berglund both made three birdies.
Nate Benson and Mattingly Upchurch both scored 66 for the Royals, with Benson winning the medalist award in a playoff. Benson totaled seven birdies and Upchurch had five.
“My full swing was working really well for me,” said Benson, who noted that 66 is his all-time low score. “I had a lot of really good shots that gave me some pretty simple birdie opportunities. As any golfer would say, I still left some strokes out there. I could’ve done better. But I’m still really happy with the way I played.”
Hamilton Southeastern’s Nate Benson won a playoff for medalist. Benson and Royals teammate Mattingly Upchurch both scored 66. (Richie Hall)
Kai Warner’s round of 74 included three birdies, while Jordan Huxford drained one birdie while scoring 74. Vijeet Akala also had one birdie.
Ninth-ranked Noblesville scored 293, with Drew Werkley scoring 70 to get into the seventh-place tie. Werkley made four birdies in his round. Alex Peck’s 71 included three birdies, Rory Bushong had two birdies, while Brady Mangin and Lance Decker both made one birdie.
Fishers totaled 293 as well, with Tommy Klinker’s 70 putting him in the seventh-place tie. Klinker had four birdies in his round. Lucas Brown drained three birdies, Ryan Stewart made two birdies and Will Major had one birdie.
Hamilton Heights totaled 319 as a team, the Huskies’ lowest team score in 22 years. Caleb Sullivan drained two birdies, while Nathan Cox and Drew Woodruff each made one birdie.
University scored 391. Nick Quinto had two birdies and Tyler Davis made one.
Sheridan totaled 395. Tyler Garner and Zack Phillips both drained one birdie.
Team scores: Westfield 276, Guerin Catholic 279, Hamilton Southeastern 280, Noblesville 293, Fishers 293, Carmel 298, Hamilton Heights 319, University 391, Sheridan 395.
Medalist: Nate Benson (HSE) 66, won in playoff.
Westfield scores: Jake Cesare 67, Will Harvey 68, Brayden Worthington 70, Ryan Cesare 71, Hudson Kutchma 79.
Guerin Catholic scores: Eli Wessel 67, Leo Wessel 69, Owen Nielsen 70, Will Parenteau 73, Gabe Berglund 75.
Other Southeastern scores: Mattingly Upchurch 66, Kai Warner 74, Jordan Huxford 74, Vijeet Akala 83.
Noblesville scores: Drew Werkley 70, Alex Peck 71, Rory Bushong 75, Brady Mangin 77, Lance Decker 78.
Fishers scores: Tommy Klinker 70, Will Major 74, Sam Keithley 74, Lucas Brown 75, Ryan Stewart 81.
Carmel scores: Noah Johnson 74, Ethan Hoagland 74, Noah Husk 75, Max O’Neil 75, Mason Price 78.
Heights scores: Nathan Cox 77, Caleb Sullivan 77, Kole Kirtley 82, Drew Woodruff 83, Ethan Millsaps 88.
University scores: Nick Quinto 90, Tyler Davis 95, Emmett White 100, Eric Harrison 105, Ked Laborsky 112.
Sheridan scores: Tyler Garner 96, Nathan Hinshaw 99, Parker Williams 00, Erich Retz 100, Zack Phillips 103.