Two Hamilton Southeastern graduates returned to a familiar course this week, and finished in a familiar position: The top 10.
Graham McAree, a senior-to-be at the University of Indianapolis and star at Hamilton Southeastern, finished third at the Amateur, which took place this week at The Hawthorns in Fishers. McAree carded a four-day total of 289, one-over par, making 13 birdies during his four rounds.
McAree is coming off a great junior season at U-Indy, where he won three tournaments. He placed first last fall in the ODU Kickoff Classic, then triumphed in back-to-back March events at the Eagle Invitational and the UW-Parkside Spring Invitational. McAree compiled nine finishes in the top seven, including a fourth-place result at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship stroke play; that qualified him for the match-play event. McAree finished his season by tying for 15th at the NCAA D-II Midwest Central Regional.
Meanwhile, Johnny Watts, a Ball State senior-to-be, tied for 10th at the Amateur with a score of 298. Watts made 14 birdies and eagled hole No. 11 in his fourth round, which he finished with a three-under par 69. During his junior season at Ball State, Watts earned five top 10 finishes, culminating in a third place mark at the MAC Championships.
Here’s a complete list of Hamilton County finishers:
3. Graham McAree, Fishers 71-76-70-72=289,T10. Johnny Watts, Fishers, 80-77-72-69=298, T14. Nick Dentino, Carmel, 76-75-75-74=300, T16. Ben Resler, Carmel, 69-75-78-79=301, T20. Bobby Delagrange, Carmel 76-81-74-72=303; Drew Alexander, McCordsville, 76-77-74-76=303; Todd Palmer, Fishers 72-78-73-80=303, T29. Thomas Lewis, Carmel, 80-75-79-74=308, T40. Kevin Stone, Carmel 76-82-74-79=311; Johnny Deck, Carmel 78-76-83-84=311, T43. Greg Chalas, Carmel 83-75-75-79=312, 54. Connor Jones, Noblesville, 81-73-83-82=319.
Missed cut: Greg Wafford 80-79=159, Daven Bhagar, Carmel 75-84=159, Brandon Lewis, Fishers 84-76=160, Nathan Cunningham, Carmel 78-83=161, Bill Terry, Cicero 77-84=161, Jeremy Ray, The Bridgewater 83-79=162, Oliver Mast 81-82=163, Stephen Kocerha, Carmel, 76-87=163, Ben Brodhead, Noblesville 84-80=164, Steve Coyne, Carmel 84-80=164, Josh Keating 78-86=164, Adam Ross 79-86=165, Tanner Fortune, Carmel 80-86=166, Brian Moore, Fishers 82-85=167, Michael Schaefer, Carmel 87-82=169, Doug Hayden, Woodland Country Club 88-83=171, Clark Langlois, Carmel 87-84=171, Max French 87-88=175.