Luke Schneider
CARMEL — Three years removed from qualifying for the Boys Golf State Finals with his Columbus North teammates, Luke Schneider was back.
This time, only one of his fellow Bull Dogs — not four — hit the course with him.
Schneider, a senior and the team’s No. 1 player this spring, capped his high school career Wednesday by tying with four others for 44th place at Prairie View Golf Club. His scores of 79 and 81 put him at 16-over par for the tournament.
Committed to play at the University of Evansville starting later this summer, Schneider was still digesting the fact his time representing Columbus North had come to an end.
“It kind of hasn’t hit me yet,” Schneider said. “It’s been four years of working my butt off and having fun, but nobody realizes how much work we have to put into it. I mean, we’re out there every single day, seven days a week until dark pretty much.”
Starting on No. 10, Schneider went 41-40 in the final round. He was even-par over the final five holes.
“I played really bad this week,” Schneider said. “Just had a few swing problems, but I had a blast out here. It’s my senior year, so I’m trying to have fun.”
The threesome behind Schneider’s group included Bull Dogs junior Willy Davis, whose scores of 79 and 83 tied him for 51st with two others. He was on track to shoot 80 in the final round before a triple-bogey on No. 9, his final hole.
Willy Davis
Davis, who’ll likely be in contention to take Schneider’s spot at the top of the North lineup next season, enjoyed his state finals debut.
“It’s been pretty fun. I’m thankful that I was able to make it here, first and foremost,” Davis said. “I played pretty decent Day 1, and then today, I didn’t finish very well. I missed a lot of good putts. A lot to build on, but I had a lot of fun out there.
“I was just excited to make it, and if I played well, that’s just a bonus,” he added. “I’m just glad how it played out the last couple of weeks.”
Valparaiso sophomore Aidan Gutierrez won medalist honors by defeating Cathedral senior Ryan Ford on the third hole of a playoff after both had finished at 2-under 142.
Guerin Catholic edged neighboring Westfield 602-603 to win the team title. A third Hamilton County school, Hamilton Southeastern, finished third with a 615.
