By RICHIE HALL
sports@readthereporter.com
CARMEL – There was a photo finish for the trophy at last Saturday’s IHSAA Spring Preview meet at Prairie View.
The top three teams in the state were involved in a close battle for the entire 18 holes, and it took a tiebreaker to determine the champion. Guerin Catholic, the defending state champion, edged out Hamilton Southeastern to win the tournament. Both teams carded scores of 298; the Golden Eagles won on the fifth-man score.
Westfield was in the mix as well. The Shamrocks finished a close third with a score of 300, but had the individual champion. Alec Cesare shrugged off a rough start to win medalist honors with a three-under par round of 69.
Top-level field
The field at Prairie View was about as top-level as it could get. Seventeen of the teams ranked in the top 20 of the IHSGCA’s latest golf rankings participated in the Spring Preview, including every team in the top 11. Coming into the tournament, Westfield was rated No. 1, with Guerin Catholic No. 2 and Southeastern No. 3.
The Golden Eagles were led by Jacob Modleski, who finished second individually with his two-under par 70. Modleski made five birdies in his round. Leo Wessel was next with a 73, making three birdies, and Eli Wessel scored a 75, draining two birdies. Owen Nielsen had one birdie in his round of 80, and Zach Thieme carded an 81.
“We made some putts at the very end,” said GC coach Mark Mathews. “It was a wonderful day of golf. Great competition, lots of good golf. We just happened to come out on top.”
The Royals played consistent golf throughout the day. Kai Warner tied for third individually with his one-under par 71, putting in four birdies along the way. Cole Starnes scored a 74 (with three birdies), Nate Benson added a 75 (two birdies), Lane Zedrick carded a 78 (three birdies) and Tyler Marcinko carded an 88.
Eagle alert
Cesare started his round with two bogeys, but rebounded in solid fashion. He was still two over after six holes, but made an eagle on the seventh hole to immediately get back to even, then followed that up with a birdie on No. 8. Cesare clinched the individual title with a birdie on 18; he totaled four birdies in all.
“Obviously started off rough, back-to-back bogeys to start,” said Cesare. “But then I put my head down and started grinding and things started happening, started making putts. Solid from there.”
Four Hamilton County golfers were among the top five individuals. (From left) Joseph Armfield, Carmel (fifth place), Justin Hicks, Leo and Kai Warner, Hamilton Southeastern
(tied for third), Jacob Modleski, Guerin Catholic (second place) and Alec Cesare, Westfield (first place). (Richie Hall)
Jake Cesare was next with a 75, making five birdies along the way. Cam Kooi scored a 77 (one birdie) and Will Harvey added a 79 (two birdies), while Matthew Shull carded an 85.
Carmel tied for fourth place with Silver Creek, as both teams finished with 310s. The Greyhounds are ranked ninth in the state, right behind Silver Creek’s No. 8 rating.
Joseph Armfield led Carmel with an even-par 72, placing him fifth individually. Armfield made two birdies in his round. Mason Price scored a 75 and Daniel Montgomery added a 77; both drained three birdies. Austin Kent scored an 86; he made an eagle on hole No. 3 in addition to a birdie. Ethan Hoagland carded a 91.
Noblesville, ranked No. 10 in the state, tied for 15th place with a 331. Three Millers scored 82s: Cooper Claussen, Will Barnes and Drew Werkley, who made an eagle on the 13th hole. Werkley and Barnes both made one birdie. Alex Peck scored 85 and Jackson Umthum carded a 97.