BY TYLER HOEPPNER
Heading down the final stretch of holes at the Seymour Regional, Floyd Central coach Mike Cason knew it would be close.
The Highlanders were part of the groups that would be the last off the course, and Cason had a pretty good idea of what they would need to shoot to advance to the State Finals.
No. 19 Floyd Central had just enough, finishing with a score of 311, which tied them with No. 15 Providence.
The Highlanders had a better fifth man score and took second in the regional behind No. 11 Bedford North Lawrence, who shot a 307.
Bloomington North loomed just behind in fourth with 314.
Cason was happy to see his team finish strong with two birdies on No. 17, a tough par-3, and all pars on No. 18.
“We played really well the first eight holes. Then holes 9 through 11 just killed us. We really played poorly in that stretch,” Cason said. “Then the last four or five holes I think we played under par. That made the difference.”
Jared Sturgeon, Jay Holderman and Matt Rayner all had 77s to lead the Highlanders, and David Frank had an 80 to round out the scoring.
Making it to the State Finals is always rewarding, but Providence coach Dave Lobeck was hoping for more.
“It’s good to get through the regional. That’s kind of the dicey area because you’re playing good teams, but this was our year to win it,” Lobeck said. “It’s a little disappointing, but we’re happy to be going to State.”
Once again the Pioneers were led by their top two. Ben Rose posted a two-over-par 74, and Trey Pfund added a 76. Andrew Lobeck carded a 79, and Robert Spiller had an 82.
Rose’s score was good enough for third best of the tournament.
“Ben Rose really played well coming really, really hit a couple of great shots,” Lobeck said. “He chipped in for par in 16 and made a 30-footer for birdie on 17.”
The State Finals will begin Tuesday at The Legends of Indiana Golf Course in Franklin.
Two local individual golfers just missed a shot at advancing to the state finals. Silver Creek’s Brandon White and Jeffersonville’s Matthew Thompson were not among the three best individuals from non-qualifying scores. White was one shot away from placing in the top 3, finishing with a 76. Thompson finished with a score of 78.
Seymour Regional
At Shadowood G.C., par 72
Top 3 advance to State
Team scores: 1. Bedford North Lawrence 307, 2. Floyd Central 311*, 3. Providence 311, 4. Bloomington North 314, 5. Jennings County 318, 6. Madison Shawe Memorial 320, 7. Edgewood 321, 8. Columbus North 322, 9. Greensburg 326, 10. Shelbyville 327, 11. North Harrison 328, 12. Madison Consolidated 355.
Floyd Central: Jared Sturgeon 77, Matt Rayner 77, Jay Holderman 77, David Frank 80, Brad Bauman 82.
Providence: Ben Rose 74, Trey Pfund 76, Andrew Lobeck 79, Robert Spiller 82, Ryan Frey 87.
Silver Creek: Brandon White 76.
Jeffersonville: Matt Thompson 78.
