Staff Reports
CARMEL — Harley Gant came through with a clutch performance in Friday’s opening round of the Girls Golf State Finals.
The Columbus East senior carded a 3-over-par 75 to put herself in a tie for seventh going into today’s final round at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.”
“I had a lot of confidence coming in,” Gant said. “There was no pressure for me to shoot a certain score. I just wanted to have a better score than last year. I just had fun, and it led to me shooting a better score.”
Gant actually was 1-under-par and tied for second place, one shot off the lead, after her 12th hole on Friday. But she double-bogeyed the par-3 No. 4. She came back with a birdie on No. 5, but bogeyed No. 6 and double-bogeyed No. 7 before finishing with back-to-back pars.
Gant hit nine fairways and 12 greens in regulation and took 32 putts on her round.
“She was at ease all day, and she didn’t let anything get to her,” East coach Kylie Weichman said. “She had great mental toughness. The thing that impressed me the much was that the two girls who played with her were struggling today, and she was encouraging to them. She’s just a great representative for Columbus East.”
Meanwhile, Columbus North has a pair of golfers competing at state. Senior Gwen Anderson is tied for 32nd after an 82, and Ella Wilks is tied for 70th following a 94.
“I don’t think we played our best today,” North coach Scott Seavers said. “It’s a tough course, and it played long. We just made a few mistakes, but we’re going to go back and try to improve (today).”
All three golfers will compete in today’s final round.
“I’m just looking to improve and have fun again,” Gant said. “Whatever I place, I place. It’s my last high school match, so I’ll be happy with the results.”
