Fishers’ Klinker makes state as individual
By RICHIE HALL
YORKTOWN – After his Millers proved it at the sectional tournament, Noblesville boys golf coach Gary Deakyne reiterated the reason his team has been so successful during the post-season.
“It’s a team effort and they do a great job,” said Deakyne.
Hamilton Southeastern placed second at The Players Club to qualify for state for the seventh consecutive year. (Richie Hall)
The Millers used their depth to win their first regional title since 2019 on Thursday, claiming the Muncie Central regional at The Players Club in Yorktown. Just like at the sectional, Noblesville had to hold off Hamilton Southeastern to win, 295-298.
The regional win was the eighth in program history for the Millers and also qualified them for the IHSAA state finals, which begin Tuesday at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel. The Royals are also going to state, along with Cathedral, which placed third with 301.
Tyler Marucci was Noblesville’s low man at The Players Club, scoring a one-under par 71. He made five birdies in his round and tied for second individually.
“Whenever someone is playing bad, there’s always someone else playing good,” said Marucci. “I feel like there’s never a round that we play where we don’t have each other. We’re really close off the course, too and on the course, which is really beneficial for us on the course.”
“My No. 5 (Dustin Turpin) was low at sectional and my No. 4 is low at the regional,” said Deakyne. “It’s like I said the other day, we have a team, a full team and it’s not about No. 1 or No. 2 that have to best, they have to go the lowest. We’re strong one through five and that’s what makes us a good team.”
Lance Decker was next in line for Noblesville with 73, making three birdies. Drew Werkley totaled 75 with five birdies. Jackson Umthum scored 76 and Dustin Turpin carded 81, both with two birdies.
Southeastern also had solid scores across the board, with everyone finishing lower than 80. Dane Starnes led the Royals with 72, tying him for fourth individually. Starnes collected three birdies during his round.
“We had high expectations coming into here and we did pretty well,” said Starnes. “We’ve been close to Noblesville all year, but fell behind them with three shots.”
Fishers’ Tommy Klinker placed second individually and advanced to state. (Richie Hall)
“All that really matters is we’re going to state,” said Starnes. The Royals advanced to state for the seventh consecutive year.
Blake Babb scored 73, including three birdies, followed by Mattingly Upchurch with 76. He made two birdies. Brody Colburn’s 77 and Kai Warner’s 79 rounded out the HSE scoring, both made one birdie.
“That’s the name of the game is survive and advance, so we did that to represent our school and community one more year at the state finals,” said Royals coach David Young.
Fishers’ Tommy Klinker is also heading to state. His score of 72 tied him for second individually and made him one of the three low scorers not on an advancing team. Klinker totaled three birdies in his round.
“Being in Hamilton County, a lot of great teams, a lot of great players, so it’s great to play with them and really test my abilities,” said Klinker.
Team scores: Noblesville 295, Hamilton Southeastern 298, Cathedral 301, Eastbrook 307, Pendleton Heights 308, Mt. Vernon 325, Heritage Christian 325, Yorktown 328, New Palestine 330, New Castle 333, North Central 336, Delta 344, Norwell 344, Bluffton 346, Monroe Central 350.
Medalist: Johnny Leaman (Cathedral) 33-37=70.
Noblesville scores: Tyler Marucci 37-34=71, Lance Decker 36-37=73, Drew Werkley 34-41=75, Jackson Umthum 37-39=76, Dustin Turpin 38-43=81.
Southeastern scores: Dane Starnes 36-36=72, Blake Babb 37-36=73, Mattingly Upchurch 36-40-76, Brody Colburn 37-40=77, Kai Warner 38-41=79.
Fishers score: Tommy Klinker 35-36=71.
Be the first to comment on "Boys golf: Millers and Royals go 1-2 at regional"