Cesare brings Pax Westfield to the golf world

Westfield’s Alec Cesare won the Northern Amateur tournament, which took place July 24 to 26 on the Marsh/Creek course at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton. Cesare scored under par in all three rounds to finish with a 10 under 206 for the tournament. (Photo provided)

Shamrock player dominates at Northern Amateur tournament

The REPORTER

Westfield’s Alec Cesare has picked up another big tournament victory.

Cesare won the Northern Amateur, which took place July 24 to 26 on the Marsh/Creek course at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton. Cesare was dominant the entire week, going under par in all three rounds to finish with a 10 under 206 for the tournament.

The tone was set in the first round, when Cesare blitzed to a score 66, going six under par for the day. Cesare totaled six birdies, including five in a row from holes 13 through 17. In the second round, Cesare carded a three under 69, pouring in five birdies during the round.

Alec Cesare shows off the trophy after his Northern Amateur victory.

The third round was made interesting by the performance of Andrew Tan from Austin, Texas. Tan was one under after the first two rounds, but put together an incredible final round, scoring an eight under 64. Tan made eight birdies and 10 pars to jump into contention for the trophy.

But Cesare was able to hold on with his third under-par round of the tournament. He carded a one-under 71, totaling four birdies. Cesare made three consecutive birdies on holes 8, 9 and 10, and another birdie on the 15th hole turned out to be the clincher. He made 15 birdies for the entire tournament.

Cesare has transferred to Indiana University after playing his freshman year of college at Ball State University, where he helped the Cardinals to a Mid-American Conference championship and an appearance in the NCAA tournament. Cesare’s younger brother Jake Cesare, an incoming senior at Westfield, announced his commitment to IU in the spring.

Indiana men’s golf coach Mike Mayer said in a news release that “Alec is a fighter, a bulldog on the golf course who will never give up on himself or his teammates. He has the talent, athleticism, and ability to play at this level.” Cesare has three years of eligibility for the Hoosiers.

Harvey takes third

Another Westfield golfer made some waves at Marsh/Creek. Will Harvey, an incoming senior for the Shamrocks, tied for third place with an eight under par 208.

Harvey also got off to a strong start, carding a three under 69 for his first round. He drained six birdies, including five in a row on holes 6 through 10. Harvey had an even better day in the second round, finishing with a five under 67. He totaled seven birdies in that round. In the third round, Harvey scored an even par 72. He made another four birdies, giving him 17 for the tournament.

Leo Wessel, a recent Guerin Catholic graduate who is heading to the University of Cincinnati, tied for seventh with a five under par 211. Wessel also had a fantastic start to the tournament, with a five under 67 for his first round. That included an eagle on No. 6 and four birdies.

Wessel scored 73 in the second round, making two birdies. He got back under par in the third round, scoring a one under 71 and draining four birdies. Wessel made 10 birdies for the tournament.

Westfield’s Andrew White tied for 34th with a score of 221. White was 73-75-73 for the tournament, making five birdies overall: two in the first and third rounds and one in the second round.