CARMEL — The Greenfield-Central girls golf program had to wait more than two decades to reach its first IHSAA state finals since 1994.
On Friday morning, the Cougars’ patience was tested yet again.
The start to the girls golf state finals was delayed for an hour at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel due to frost, and course conditions played an early factor, but the Cougars powered through to shoot a 373 in the opening round.
“We had a pretty solid day. Got off to a slow start, but once we settled down, we were good,” G-C head coach Russ Wiley said. “Lots of nerves on the front nine, but I imagine that was the same for everyone.”
Greenfield-Central shot a 345 at Edgewood Golf Club during the Lapel Regional last weekend to finish third as a team and earn a state berth.
The Cougars fired a school-record 340 at Hawk’s Tail of Greenfield during the sectional to win, and they attempted to maintain their postseason pace at state behind a combined 25 pars.
Senior Caroline Gibson led the Cougars with a 6-over par 78, regrouping after a pair of double bogeys on the 10th and 13th holes to start her day. She also had two bogeys on the back nine.
Gibson was making her second state finals appearance in her career after qualifying for the tournament last season as an individual. In 2019, she tied for 30th overall with a 22-over par performance at 166 (81-85) through 36 holes.
Through her first nine holes on Friday, Gibson went 6-over par with a 42, and she played a perfect second nine holes with a 36. She had one bogey on the fourth and a double bogey on her final hole.
However, she parred five of her last nine holes and buried an eagle on the eighth after a birdie on the seventh to post a career-best 18-hole score at state.
Sophomore Sydnie Wherry followed with a 96 for the Cougars, and senior Haley Hoagland shot a 99. Senior Tandess O’Neal carded a 100. Katie Curry posted a 104.
The Cougars ended the day 14th on the leaderboard ahead of Western (386) and behind NorthWood (372). Gibson finished tied for 12th overall.
“We’re hoping to pass a team or two tomorrow and hope Caroline finishes in the top ten,” Wiley said.
The Cougars will continue play at the state finals with another 18-hole round today, beginning with Wherry’s tee time at 8:48 a.m. Gibson will tee off last at 9:24 a.m.
