Columbus North’s Erin Hopkins watches her tee shot on No. 5 during a golf match against Perry Meridian Monday at Harrison Lake Country Club.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Scott Seavers is happy to have all five of his golfers coming back from last year, and he’s especially excited to have the strength and leadership at the top of his Columbus North lineup.
Seniors Erin Hopkins and Lindsey Hartwell are beginning their fourth season of varsity golf. They led the team as juniors last year and have continued that through the first two matches of this season.
“They are leaders,” Seavers said. “They lead by example, and they’re great students, terrific people. I’m proud of them, and I’m glad they’re leading this team. They represent Columbus North in the way that we want Columbus North represented.”
While the Bull Dogs fell one spot short of returning to regional as a team last year, Hopkins made it as an individual. She has picked up where she left off last season, winning medalist honors with a 40 against Perry Meridian on Monday at Harrison Lake Country Club and with a 37 against Jennings County on Wednesday at St. Anne’s.
“I think my accuracy with a lot of my shots has gotten better,” Hopkins said. “I feel a lot more dialed in than I previously was, but then also my short game has improved a lot, especially my chipping just because I’ve been practicing it a lot. I definitely still have room for improvement, but this is a good start.”
Hopkins picked up some valuable experience this summer playing in the Circle K Junior Championship at Otter Creek, as well as other junior tournaments.
“I know Erin worked really hard in the summer,” Seavers said. “She played a lot of golf. I just want her to be able relax a little bit and have fun and take the pressure off of her do her thing because she’s skilled, and she can do very well this year. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does accomplish.
“Lindsey is in the same boat,” he added. “Her swing is really good right now. We just have to clean up a few things, and she’s going to help us a lot this year.”
Columbus North’s Lindsey Hartwell putts on No. 6 during a golf match against Perry Meridian Monday at Harrison Lake Country Club.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Hartwell was right with Hopkins on Monday until posting a quadruple-bogey on her final hole and had to settle for a 44. She came back with a 40 in Wednesday’s win at Jennings County.
“My main focus right now is my putting,” Hartwell said. “That’s what I’m really trying to work on. I would say so far, it’s been better than it was last year.”
Hartwell said this likely will be her final year of competitive golf. Hopkins is weighing her options on whether to play at the collegiate level.
“I’ve talked to quite a few coaches and went on some visits,” Hopkins said. “But I’m still not 100 percent decided yet.”
North will be in action today in the Franklin Invitational at The Legends, the site of next month’s regional. With seniors Kara Buntin and Ana Pavlov and sophomore Harper Andresen also back for the Bull Dogs, they’re looking to do big things this season.
“I feel like it’s really nice that all five are coming back,” Hartwell said. “I think we all know what to work on, and we’re all making improvements.”
