By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
When a state championship is up for grabs, every team’s focus is on the big trophy.
Hamilton County’s boys golf teams are no exception – after all, many of them have held that big trophy a few times. While Center Grove was the team state champion at this year’s boys golf state championship, which finished Wednesday at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel, the four county teams playing accomplished some achievements that they either had never done before, or hadn’t done in a while.
Carmel finished as the team runner-up, with two-time defending state champion Westfield placing third. Noblesville got on the medal stand with a fourth-place finish, and first-time state qualifier Fishers earned a respectable 12th place finish.
The Greyhounds held the lead through the front nine. But the Trojans made up a six-shot deficit at the beginning of the day by catching fire on the back nine and running away with a 13-shot victory. Center Grove set new IHSAA records for the lowest 36-hole score at state (573, three-under par) and lowest 18-hole score with its second-round performance (281, seven-under par).
Carmel finished its second round with a score of 300, giving it a two-day total of 586. It was the first time the ‘Hounds had been in the top two since taking the runner-up trophy in 2007.
“I think we put in a really good effort this week,” said Carmel coach Chard Reid. “You look at our team score, it’s a great team score. Proud of that number. In some years it may be good enough. But the Trojans were just a little too much today. Seven-under par today with a pair of 66s. We got beat.”
Still, it was a great season for the Greyhounds. Carmel picked up sectional and regional trophies on its way to Prairie View, won several big tournaments and finished second in the Metropolitan Conference to Center Grove.
“I’m proud of the way our guys played,” said Reid. “I’m proud of the way they played all season, this month, this week, and no regrets there.”
Two Greyhounds landed in the top 10 individually. Senior Kevin Stone and sophomore Nick Dentino were part of a five-way tie for seventh place. Both carded scores of 145, and both were named to the All-State team after the meet. Stone also won the Fred A. Keesling Mental Attitude Award (see related story).
“It’s just a really big deal for these guys,” said Reid.
“It just feels really good,” said Dentino. “It just shows what I’ve accomplished and what I can do. I know I have more left, but this feels good for my first time making state.”
All of Carmel’s players had rounds under 80 during the tournament, and at least one birdie. Stone, sophomore Cole Harris and freshman Clay Stirsman each made three birdies, junior Curtis Robertson had two and Dentino one.
HISTORIC STREAK FOR ‘ROCKS
Westfield had to part with the state championship trophy after two seasons, but the Shamrocks fought to the 36th hole, finishing in third place with a team score of 594.
In doing so, Westfield made some history. The ‘Rocks became only the third team to finish in the top three at state five years in a row. Westfield’s run began when it won state in 2013, placed second in 2014, then took back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.
The only other teams to accomplish that feat are Shortridge, which had nine consecutive top three places between 1949 and 1957, and Carmel, which made the top three five straight times, between 1968 and 1972.
“We talked all year about having a chance to compete on the back nine on the second day, and we had a chance,” said Shamrocks coach Josh Bryant. “Going into the 11th tee, we were four back and from there Center Grove made a bunch of putts to win it. They earned the state championship.”
Junior Andrew Lewis led the way for Westfield, finishing as part of the seventh-place tie with a 145. Lewis drained four birdies in his round, and also was named to the All-State team.
“It’s a great honor,” said Lewis, who is following in the footsteps of his older brother Thomas in making All-State. “It’s always nice to end the season and get an honor such as All-State.”
Senior Josh Kehl had three birdies on the day. Also joining the birdie count for Westfield were junior Stephen Hildebrand with two, and senior Noah Shanteau and sophomore Ethan Lutz with one each. Shanteau finished in a tie for 13th place with a 147.
MILLERS BACK ON THE MEDAL STAND
Noblesville entered the second day at Prairie View in fourth place, and held tough to keep that position with a 598 and a place on the medal stand. This was the first time the Millers received state medals since they were runners-up in 2005.
“We really had it going on the front side,” said Noblesville coach Gary Sewell. “We made the turn at five under. Clay Merchent was playing fabulously.”
Merchent, a sophomore, finished the tournament with a 146, placing him 12th overall, and was named to the All-State team. Merchent made seven birdies in his second round effort.
“It’s good,” said Merchent, who was also an All-State player as a freshman. “It’s a great honor.”
Sophomore Jacob Deakyne had three birdies, also part of the 13th place tie with his 147. Seniors Parker Deakyne drained two birdies and Mitchell Compton had one.
“We’ve got two seniors that we’ve got to say goodbye to, Parker Deakyne – can’t say enough about that kid,” said Sewell. “And also Mitch Compton. They meant so much to us the last four years. They are going to be greatly missed.”
Fishers scored a 638 in its first try at the state meet. Freshman Bryce Robertson finished with a two-day score of 158; he had four birdies in his second round. Juniors Nick Fisher and Shivom Patel each made two birdies, with Noah Chamberlin making one.
“I think it’s a great experience for our kids just to be here, have two straight rounds here,” said Tigers coach Keith Andrews. “I think it’s only going to help our kids as we continue to build our program to where we want to build it.”
Hamilton Southeastern’s Drew Alexander finished with a 147, tying for 13th. Alexander made five birdies in his second round.
The Carmel boys golf team finished as runner-up at the IHSAA state meet, which concluded Wednesday at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel. It’s the highest finish for the Greyhounds since they placed second in the 2007 state meet. (Richie Hall)
The Westfield boys golf team finished third at this year’s IHSAA state meet. This marks the fifth top three finish in a row for the Shamrocks; they are only one of three teams to achieve this feat. (Richie Hall)
The Noblesville boys golf team finished fourth at state, its best finish since the Millers were runners-up in 2005. Noblesville was fourth after the first round and held that position through Wednesday’s second round. (Richie Hall)