Columbus North’s Erin Hopkins watches her chip shot fall into the cup for a birdie during a match against Columbus East Tuesday at Otter Creek Golf Course in Columbus.
Tommy Walker | For The Republic
All season long, the Columbus North and Columbus East girls golfers have been putting up similar scores.
So when the two teams went head-to-head on Tuesday to finish the regular season, it was only fitting that the two teams were separated by one shot.
On an evening in which both teams put up their best nine-hole scores of the season, it was the Bull Dogs who were one shot better in a 177-178 decision on Otter Creek’s East Nine.
“East is a good team,” North coach Scott Seavers said. “We’re playing well now, and I’m happy for both teams. We’re all friends at the end, but we’re competitors, too.”
Not only did the team battle come down to one shot, the battle for individual medalist ended in a tie. North junior Erin Hopkins and East senior Carter Gant both shot 1-under par 35.
“I think a 35 out here is pretty good,” Hopkins said. “I think it came at just the right time. I’m thankful that it was at the East match. I think we have some great momentum going into the playoffs.”
The 35 was the best ever in a match for Hopkins.
“I kind of just take it shot by shot,” Hopkins said. “I think that’s all you can do sometimes. I just took it shot by shot all day and didn’t really put too much pressure on myself.”
Gant’s 35 tied for her career-best.
“It was very scrappy,” said Gant, who was honored on senior night along with teammates Ali Trueblood and Dyana Foster. “I hung in there, and I’m overall really pleased with how I played.”
Lindsey Hartwell carded a 37 for the Bull Dogs. Kara Buntin added a 48, Ana Pavlov shot 57 and Harper Andresen had a 64.
“We had three really good scores at the top, which is great for us,” Seavers said. “Erin shooting under par is great. She played well all day. Lindsey was as steady as can be, and she’s peaking right now. I’m happy for her Kara’s last two rounds are sub-50, and that’s good for her confidence. She’s playing her best golf right now at the end of the season, so we hope to take that confidence into the sectional and do our best.”
Trueblood carded a 46, Grace LaSell added a 48 and Foster shot 49 for the Olympians. Sophia Begley had a 52, and Allison Sharpe finished with a 63.
“It was neck and neck,” East coach LaDonna VanDeventer said. “I’m happy for North, and us, also. I’m excited. I know we lost by one, but they’re improving. They showed that we’re ready for sectional.”
Both teams will play in the Bloomington North Sectional beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday at Cascades.
