Staff Reports
CARMEL — Harley Gant, Gwen Anderson and Ella Wilks have been a big part of the local girls golf landscape both as junior golfers and high school players.
Saturday afternoon, the trio wrapped up their high school careers in the Girls Golf State Finals at Prairie View Golf Club.
Gant, a senior at Columbus East, had the best finish of the local trio. She followed a 3-over-par 75 in Friday’s opening round with an 86 in Saturday’s rain-delayed final round to place 28th with a 161.
The 2 hour, 15 minute delay came after Gant had hit her second shot on No. 11.
“I think overall I did pretty good, considering the conditions today,” Gant said. “I was starting to get my mojo back a little and then to have to go inside for two hours and get stiff again didn’t help. We were able to go to the range for about 30 minutes, and that helped.”
Gant was tied for eighth after Friday’s round. She had been as high as a tie for second, one shot off the lead, after her first 12 holes on Friday.
“I was playing with better girls today, so I put a lot of pressure on myself,” Gant said. “It’s not the way I wanted to finish, but it was good because I did improve from last year and I did have fun, even through it all.”
This was Gant’s second consecutive trip to state as an individual. She led the Olympians to a fifth-place team finish in this year’s Washington Regional.
“As a coach, you have special players who make big impacts,” East coach Kylie Weichman said. “Harley is the epitome of a special player. With her accomplishments and positive attitude, she has put Columbus East girls golf on the map throughout the state. She has created a legacy that has advanced our program to the next level.
Anderson, a senior at Columbus North, tied for 42nd. She had rounds of 82 and 87 for a 169 total.
Starting on the back nine Saturday, Anderson was on her fourth hole when the delay hit.
“I’m happy that state was my last tournament,” Anderson said. “I’m just glad I made it to state. I didn’t play as well as I wanted, but I’m glad I got there.”
Wilks, also a North senior, also started on the back nine and got three holes in before the delay. She improved by five shots over her first-round score and finished 69th at 183 with rounds of 94 and 89.
Anderson and Wilks, who had been part of state qualifying teams in previous years, made it as individuals this season after leading the Bull Dogs to a fourth-place regional finish.
“I was just happy to be there in general,” Wilks said. “I didn’t play my best, but that’s OK with me. I had fun.”
Macy Beeson of Lapel shot even-par 144 over two days to defend her individual medalist honors. She won by one shot over Evansville North’s Chloe Johnson and two over Franklin’s Ava Ray.
Top-ranked Evansville North, the Washington Regional champion, won the team title with a 606. Homestead finished second at 624, and Westfield edged Castle 637-639 for third.
