Bloomington South boys golf grabs medals while bus loses metals

CARMEL — The Bloomington South boys' golf team got up Wednesday morning with every intention of making some noise in the final round of the IHSAA boys' golf state finals.

Oh, they made a racket all right, even before the first tee shot was hit. Overnight, the catalytic converter was stolen off the MCCSC mini-bus the Panthers had parked outside their hotel (a Sheraton) in a busy area not far from the I-465/Keystone interchange.

They had no choice but to drive it, making for an unforgettable and loud arrival to the Prairie View Golf Club's main parking lot. They may have lost some precious metals but they also picked up some precious medals.

From there, things went a bit smoother and quieter on the course, finishing one shot better than in Round 1 and ending up in fourth place and on the medal stand with a 607 total, trailing Guerin Catholic (589), Westfield (591) and Hamilton Southeastern (600) and ahead of regional champ Evansville North (612) and Zionsville (614).

"I thought we just competed," South coach Dustin Carver said. "I knew we were a top-four team. I thought we could be right there with the top three. Super proud of our players. They came in and battled."

Junior Happy Gilmore also earned an individual medal by tying for seventh (72-72—144), while junior Connor Byon tied for 12th (71-76—147), senior Nick Bellush tied for 23rd (77-74—151), freshman Colton Watson tied for 75th (84-82—166) and senior Harrison Bomba tied for 83rd (90-81—171). Gilmore and Bellush were also awarded All-State honors by the Indiana High School Golf Coaches Association.

South and Guerin Catholic are the only programs to finish in the top six the past three years after the lost COVID year of 2020. It's the fourth time since 2006 the Panthers have placed in the top four.

"It's great," Gilmore said. "Going into it, we wanted to do better than fourth, we really wanted to win this. But you know, fourth's not bad, it gets us on the podium.

"Right now, competition is really good team-wise in the state so it was anyone's tournament. Getting fourth's great. I'm just glad that I came out and played solid golf. The team played really solid."

"Ecstatic," Byon said. "We played well enough we deserved to be a top-four team. And coming down the stretch, I mean, I in particular struggled. But there is no 'I' in team so I'm glad that our other guys came in and finished strong and helped us finish where we did today."

It was a nice send off for the seniors.

"They're a little crazy," Bellush said. "But they're great teammates and you can always count on them to be there and do the right thing."

Bloomington North junior Jacob Knapp just squeezed into the top 40 in his first and only state appearance with a 77-79—156.

Here's what each of the six players thought after the state finals wrapped up:

Gilmore even keel, even par

Gilmore had the best back nine of any Panther, carding a 35 that included two birdies and six pars.

"There's always a couple strokes because it's state," Gilmore said. "And then, the conditions were soft, so I think the course played a little easier. Because you could get away with maybe hitting a drive and it would stick in the fairway. You could pretty much attack a pin if you had a decent shot in.

"I can't ask to hit the ball much better, my putter just wasn't here most of the week. I kept hitting it close but nothing could go in."

Bellush battles back

After shooting 5-over on Tuesday, Bellush came out blazing in Round 2, with three birdies on the front for a 34. The Purdue-Fort Wayne signee couldn't quite keep that momentum up, but still ended up three shots better than the day before.

"I was pretty upset because I was playing good and it just kind of turned around, playing bad to finish with that score (77)," Bellush said. "So I tried to be positive about it, come out the next day and have fun. My last high school tournament ever so just try to enjoy myself. One last ride and I did. I had a lot of fun and that's what matters most I think."

Putting was the toughest part of his round, trying to gauge the proper speed. But he did come up with a big shot in front of the gallery on 18, punching out from the heather after his approach went long to give himself a solid birdie opportunity.

"It was pretty cool," Bellush said. "I'll remember that for a while."

Byon just misses top 10

A medal was in the junior's grasp and it got away on the last two holes, both double bogeys, an unfortunate ending to a terrific tourney run. He was 1-under on the day and 2-under for the tourney before then, serving notice he'll be someone to reckon with next year as just six players finished under par.

"I have some growth to do," Byon said. "On 17 and 18, I wasn't super nervous heading down that stretch. Obviously, had some adrenalin going on, but, I have a lot of maturing to do in this off-season and this coming summer season.

"I have a lot of flaws to work on and even the things that I am good at I need to work on and sharpen up a little bit more."

He can't wait to get back at it after his third and best state appearance yet.

"It's been surreal," Byon said. "Really makes me excited for what we're going to do next year. I think that next year we're going to come back harder and stronger and more determined than ever."

C-Wat makes strong debut

Watson was one of just a dozen freshmen who played at state and more than held his own for a state contender.

"Definitely nervous," Watson said. "Just kind of went through the round, went through the swings and hit some golf shots."

He wasn't expecting to play the role, but he became a dependable piece for the Panthers with a bright upside.

"I didn't feel like I could be good enough to play a 4, but I definitely feel like I could have produced some better scores. I started to play better toward the end of the year. I made a lot of friends, great experience, learned a lot of stuff about golf and I think it's going to help me throughout the years."

Bomba bounces back

Coming off a rough first round, Bomba covered Prairie View with just one double bogey to improve by nine shots in the final round of his high school career. He spent too much time fretting over every shot and decided to simplify his approach.

"I had some nerves yesterday," Bomba said. "But I think I got settled in toward the end of yesterday and just came out today and decided to play golf."

And that was fine with Carver, who took a hands-off approach and it worked out. In the end, Bomba was just thrilled to be there after working so hard to earn his spot on the state team.

"It meant a lot," he said. "It's pretty special because first year was out because of COVID, sophomore year injury and junior year, I just wasn't at the level I needed to be at.

"It was a grind this year and I'm really glad to have fought it out and made it. It was a great experience."

Knapp makes the top 40

Knapp will never forget the last hole of his high school career, having to clear the second body of water on No. 9 with an iron from across the road into the course after an errant tee shot nearly bounced into a neighboring yard. But there are plenty of positive things he'll remember.

"The audience was a big one," Knapp said. "I'll remember all the people watching on the first hole. And also the course, it's a really nice course. Just an all-around good experience."

Knapp started on No. 10 and was just 1-over at the turn, but the front nine bit back with five bogeys.

"My driver shots were really challenging for me," Knapp said. "They were just not consistent. I was going left and then I'd pull it to the right. And also with my putts, I had a hard time keeping track of how hard to putt it."

Knapp will be missed by the Cougars as he heads off to compete for Hanover.

"I couldn't be more proud of him," North coach Harrison Carmichael said. "I know he probably didn't finish the way he wanted to coming down the stretch, but you're not going to find a better individual."

"It means a lot being able to get through regionals," Knapp said. "I didn't really think I could do it beforehand, but it once I was playing regionals I knew I was on track to go to state. It's been fun and quite a journey throughout the three years."

IHSAA BOYS' GOLF STATE FINALS

Team scores — 1. Guerin Catholic 291-298—589; 2. Westfield 293-298—591; 3. Hamilton Southeastern 304-296—600; 4. Bloomington South 304-303—607; 5. Evansville North 307-305—612; 6. Zionsville 309-305—614; 7. Noblesville 315-303—618; 8. Leo 318-308—626; 9. Valparaiso 303-323—626; 10. Tipton 309-320—629; 11. Center Grove 313-316—629; 12. Columbus North 310-321—631; 13. Homestead 325-311—636; 14. Floyd Central 323-319—642; 15. Chesterton 320-330—650; 16. Penn 326-336—662; 17. Evansville Memorial 339-328—667; 18. Northridge 355-328—683.

Top 10 individuals (all-state): 1. Leo Wessel, GC, 71-67—138; T2. Silas Haarer, Westview, 75-66—141; Jacob Modleski, GC, 67-74—141; Justin Hicks, Leo, 71-70—141; 5. Aiden Gutierrez, V, 67-75—142; 6. Brayden Miller, Fairfield, 69-74—143; T7. Maverick Conaway, Tip, 71-73—144; Happy GIlmore, BSouth, 72-72—144; Jake Cesare, Westf, 71-73—144; T10. Mason Price, Carmel, 71-74—145; Will Harvey, Westf, 73-72—145.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: IHSAA boys golf: Bloomington South finishes fourth at state finals