Getting In Position / Steady rounds leave North graduates in contention in Indiana Open

Columbus North graduate Michael VanDeventer tees off during the opening round of the Indiana Open Championship at Otter Creek in Columbus, Indiana. Monday, July 15, 2019

Two Columbus North graduates who turned professional last summer put themselves in contention for this year’s Indiana Open Championship after solid opening rounds on Monday at Otter Creek Golf Course.

Jake Coffey, a 2013 North and 2017 Indiana Wesleyan grad, fired a 1-under-par 71 and is in a tie for 12th place. He had two bogeys and three birdies, including an up-and-down birdie out of a bunker on No. 18.

“It was just a real steady day,” Coffey said. “I think that’s about how I’ve been playing, so I’m really happy with it. The wind was picking up.”

Michael VanDeventer, a 2014 North and 2018 Ball State grad, also had a fairly steady round. He got to 2-under with birdies on Nos. 12 and 14, but bogeyed Nos. 15 and 16 to finish at even-par 72.

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“I was able to scratch around on the front nine,” VanDeventer said. “I wasn’t hitting it my best, but I still got around even par. I strung some good shots together there on the back, and then a couple bad swings gave me a couple bogeys.”

VanDeventer, who has been living in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, and has played on the West Florida Tour this winter and spring, is tied for 24th.

“I was hoping to play a little better,” VanDeventer said. “We had pretty good conditions. The wind laid down pretty much all day until the last couple holes.”

VanDeventer and Coffey played in the morning and early afternoon, and that wind picked up in the afternoon. First-round leaders Joe Weiler of Bloomington and Joey Ranieri of Zionsville, both of which shot 5-under 67, went off in the morning.

Coffey’s brother Ian, a 2014 North and 2018 St. Francis grad, played in the afternoon and birdied three of first four and four of first six holes on his way to a 34 on the front nine. But he struggled to a 41 on the back to finish at 3-over 75 and is in a tie for 61st.

“I had a rough finish,” Ian Coffey said. “I had a pretty good start and kind of got off to a slow start on the back nine and had a couple double-bogeys. I played a lot better than I scored. But at the end of the day, I’m pleased with a 75 since I don’t get to practice very much.”

Jon Hoover, a Hope native and the pro at Otter Creek, went without a birdie on his way to a 4-over 76. He is tied for 76th.

“I just never really got it in position,” Hoover said. “I hit it OK today. I made a couple bad swings on the back nine. The golf course firmed up this afternoon. I thought it was tough to get it tight to the hole. The golf course seems to be holding its own today.”

Konnor Kimmel, a 2012 Columbus East and 2016 Eastern Kentucky graduate, carded a 5-over 77. The assistant pro at Woodland Country Club in Carmel had six bogeys and a birdie on No. 11 and is tied for 94th.

“I struggled to start,” Kimmel said. “With what I do for a living, I get to play a lot of golf, and then I don’t get to play a lot of golf all of a sudden. So I was a little nervous on my home track. I wanted to play well. We righted the ship in the middle, though, and held it together. I hit it to 25 feet all day, and that’s tough when it’s blowing to make putts out here when they’re moving a little quick.”

Bryce Turner, a 2017 North grad and incoming junior at St. Francis, shot 80 and is tied for 116th.

“I’m pretty disappointed with the score, but I drove the ball well,” Turner said. “Everything else, I just didn’t get it clicking today. Hopefully, we can shoot something to get me around the cut (today).”

Drew Smith, a 2019 North grad and incoming freshman at Hillsdale (Michigan) got into the field as an alternate Monday morning and carded an 81. Heath Harrison, a Columbus resident and former Hauser coach, also shot 81 and is among those tied for 126th. Ben Wisman, a Columbus resident and pro at Fitness 1440 in Seymour, is tied for 148th after an 86.

Following today’s second round, the field will be cut to the top 78 and ties for Wednesday’s final round.