Sep. 28—ANDERSON — Golf regional is a step in the postseason tournament rife with emotions, ranging from jubilation to disappointment, from relief to bittersweet celebrations. For most of the players fortunate enough to advance to this stage, this is the end of the season. For a select few, another weekend of high school golf awaits at the state finals.
The area’s contingent of players represented all of the above emotions as they battled the elements and a tough field of competition at Edgewood on Saturday.
Lapel sophomore Annabelle Marshall rode a hot putter and blistering new personal-best score to become one of the select few, firing a 2-over par 74 to move on to the state finals, to be held Friday and Saturday at Prairie View Golf Course in Carmel.
It was a result that led to mixed emotions for Marshall and her coach, Dylan Crosley. Lapel had high hopes of advancing as a team, but despite its best efforts, the Bulldogs came up just a handful of shots shy of being one of the three teams to move on.
Noblesville was the team champion at 294 with runner-up Hamilton Southeastern (302) and New Palestine (334) also moving on. Lapel finished at 343 and was sitting in third place until the scores for the Dragons — the final team on the course — started coming in. Mount Vernon was fifth at 348.
Crosley felt nothing but pride in a group that has no seniors and is already eyeing a better result next season.
“I’m just proud of them. They kept their composure all day,” he said. “Some had their personal bests. … I’m just excited. I hate that the year ended this way, but next year it should be a really fun year — already looking forward to it.”
Disappointment for the group was offset by Marshall’s accomplishment, finishing with five birdies on the day thanks to success on the greens, something she felt early on as she moves on to state in her second trip to regional in as many tries.
Along with Marshall for Lapel, Jane Armington fired an 82, Claire Humerickhouse had a 90 and Jordi Pilkington finished at 97 to complete the Bulldogs’ scoring while Chloe Sasser carded a personal-best 105 from the No. 5 slot.
“I’m definitely upset. They’re my best friends,” Marshall said. “We’ve gotten really close this year, so it will be hard not having them there playing.”
Also advancing as individuals were Paityn Gilman of Union County with a 72 and Josephine Butler, who shot a 76 for Tipton.
Starting on the 10th hole, Marshall opened with a birdie and added two more on the inward nine as she made the turn in 37 strokes. After a double-bogey on hole No. 2, Marshall responded with a 20-foot putt to make birdie on the third and — two holes later — sank a 15-footer for her fifth birdie of the day.
“As soon as I got started, (the putter) felt hot,” she said. “I made that first birdie, and it went right in the center of the cup. It kind of started from there. I was completely confident in my putter, was the exact opposite of last year.”
“What you saw today, that’s what she is capable of,” Crosley said. “She was more focused today. She looked like she was out to get something today.”
She very nearly added a sixth birdie on her finishing ninth hole, but the putt lipped out.
Once the results were official, Marshall was excited to have an opportunity to play at the state finals for the first time.
“I’m so excited,” she said. “Last year, I got burnt out and this year, I’m loving it. I’m so excited, and I just want to keep playing golf.”
This will be Marshall’s first time playing Prairie View, and Crosley believes the course sets up well for her game, particularly her length off the tee.
But the goal for the weekend is to enjoy the experience.
“It’s long, but she’s got the distance,” Crosley said. “We’re just going to go down and have some fun and see what we can do.”
The day also marked the end of the career of Shenandoah’s Maddie Shelton after the senior’s third straight trip to regional, this time with the entire team instead of individually. She shot an 82, a 19-shot improvement over a year ago and 21 strokes better than her initial trip two years ago. Although she has not determined the destination, Shelton plans to play golf in college.
But she knows a special chapter for her is drawing to a close.
“It’s hard for it to come to an end. I’ll miss my team,” Shelton said. “It’s going to be different. It’s not high school golf anymore. I’m going to miss my coaches.”
The Raiders finished 14th out of 15 teams with a score of 410. Kylee Lutes shot a 106 while A.J. Cooper and Sofia Gutierrez-Peraz each shot a 111 and Natalie Armstrong finished with a 116.
Playing as an individual, Pendleton Heights freshman Bella Shetterley came in strong with an 86 as one of the first players off the tee Saturday, although the start was postponed by one hour to clear debris from Friday night’s storms.
Contact Rob Hunt at rob.hunt@heraldbulletin.com or 765-640-4886.
