Westfield’s Knott leads Day 1 of Boys State Juniors

The REPORTER

Less than a week after winning the IHSAA state championship, Westfield boys golfers are making another impact on Indiana golf.

Keaton Knott, who just finished his sophomore season for the Shamrocks, is on top of the leaderboard after the first day of the IGF Boys State Junior Championship, which began Monday at Ackerman-Allen Course at Purdue University.

Knott scored a three-under par 68 for the first round of stroke play, making three birdies along the way. His Westfield teammate, individual state champion and recent graduate Hudson Kutchma, is tied for 11^th with 73, including three birdies.

Two other county golfers are in the top five. Eli Wessel, a recent Guerin Catholic graduate, is tied for third with an even par 71. Wessel made four birdies on Monday. Fishers’ Dane Starnes, who just finished his junior season for Hamilton Southeastern, is tied for fifth with 72; he made three birdies.

Play continues today with the second round of stroke play, after which the top 64 will advance to match play. That part of the tournament begins on Wednesday.

Here is a list of Hamilton County scores.

1. Keaton Knott, Westfield 68, T3. Eli Wessel, Indianapolis (Guerin Catholic) 71, T5. Dane Starnes, Fishers 72, T11. Hudson Kutchma, Westfield 73, T14. Luke Decker, Noblesville 74; Tommy Klinker, Fishers 74, T22. Mattingly Upchurch, Fishers 75; Gavin Davis, Fishers 75; Myles Ray, Noblesville 75; Will Donovan, Fishers 75, T33. Tyler Marucci, Noblesville 76; Vaughn Twilla, Noblesville 76; Max Huffman, Carmel 76, T41. Brody Colburn, Fishers 77; Jude Kaufman, Westfield 77, T51. Jack Armstrong, Carmel 78; Keaton Chapman, Westfield 78; Owen Schuitema, Carmel 78, T62. Patrick Wolf, Carmel 79, T70. Ryan Cesare, Westfield 80, T88. Blake Huffman, Carmel 82, 100. Andrew Williamson, Noblesville 84, T103. Sam Oliver, Fishers 86, 110. Austin Zimmer, Fishers 95.