Columbus North’s Tyler Wilks watches his first tee shot of the day Wednesday during the final day of the Boys Golf State Finals at Prairie View Golf Club.
Rob Baker | For The Republic
CARMEL — Through 30 of the 36 holes in the Boys Golf State Finals, Columbus North was hanging around with some of the top teams in the state with a shot at a top-five finish.
The last six holes, the train that had been chugging along smoothly lost its wheels.
The four golfers who scored for the Bull Dogs, after playing the first 30 holes in a combined 33-over-par, went 22-over on the last six at Prairie View Golf Club. They were 7-over on the par-5 No. 18, causing them to slip to a 12th-place finish with a 631 total.
“I think they probably realized where they were,” North coach Doug Bieker said. “It certainly wasn’t how they wanted to finish, but golf is a hard game.”
The Bull Dogs were in ninth place after a 310 in Tuesday’s opening round. They were on pace to better that score on Wednesday until running into trouble on the back nine and finishing with a 321.
Senior Willy Davis was even-par for the day and 2-over for the tournament and in 12th place individually before playing the final six holes in 7-over to close with a 79. He finished in a tie for 26th at 153.
“I didn’t really want to finish double-double, but I guess that’s golf, and I was still able to break 80, so it wasn’t a terrible day,” Davis said. “I had fun for all 36, which is the most important part. It was good for me to be able to hang in there with the top teams and players in the field for the first 30-31 holes. It’s a good learning experience, learning how to finish down the stretch. I have a lot to look forward to next year, going to college (at DePauw).”
Despite a double-bogey on No. 18, senior Tyler Wilks had North’s best round of the day, a 76. He tied for 31st at 154.
“I think this is the best way to finish your season,” Wilks said. “This course is overall challenging, and it has a good environment with it, being state and everything. I really wish I would have made more putts. I think that would have gotten the ball rolling early on so I could shoot better scores. But overall, I’m pleased with how I’m playing, so I enjoyed it.”
Senior John Merritt and sophomore Brady Schneider finished in a tie for 64th at 162. Both shot 83 on Wednesday.
“It was really challenging,” Merritt said. “Not the best performance that I’ve had, but I’m just happy for the opportunity that I was able to be here with my family and friends that were able to support me. It was a neat experience. It was a good way to cap off my senior season and my high school career.”
“This was our goal to get here,” Schneider added. “It was a lot of fun. I wish I could have played a little better. Taking from this year to next year, I made a lot of mistakes in course management. I think it means a lot being here this year. The seniors, it’s sad watching them go.”
Senior Jack Schiavello had a 94 Wednesday and tied for 92nd at 177.
“It was a great experience,” Schiavello said. “I’m definitely really happy that we made it here. It’s great for everyone to have this experience. It’s been a lot of fun. I don’t think we all played as well as we think we could have, but I’m definitely happy with the experience, being able to get here my senior season.”
“I’m super proud of the four seniors and what they’ve meant to our program,” Bieker added. “They should be proud of just making it here, really. They got to play golf on the last day you can play golf in Indiana in high school competition. Hopefully, they’ll have some great memories, and they’ll also use some of what they experienced to help them grow as people and young men.”
Guerin Catholic, led by medalist Leo Wessel’s 6-under 138, edged neighboring Westfield 589-591 for the team title. Hamilton Southeastern finished third at 600, and Bloomington South was fourth at 607.
While North loses four seniors, Schneider will be the lone varsity returner next season.
“Hopefully, some of the younger guys were up here watching and got to experience what it was like to have a team here,” Bieker said. “I hope we get back again soon. There’s a process up here, and to be here as a team and to get some experience is really important so the next year, you’re not so shellshocked in the gravity of the moment and understanding what’s going on. We’ll be much younger next year, so hopefully, these guys take the opportunity to get better over the summer and in the fall, and we’ll definitely surprise some people next year.”
