YORKTOWN — With three individual state qualifying spots up for grabs at last Thursday’s Muncie Central Boys Golf Regional, Pendleton Heights junior Ryan Davis used a strong front nine holes to punch his ticket to the IHSAA Boys Golf State Finals.
Davis, who played the final five holes of the day 1-under-par, shot a round of 74 to place fourth overall and second among individuals on non-qualifying teams. He became the first Madison County boys golfer to qualify for the state finals since 2014.
His day got off to a strong start with a birdie on the par-4 first hole. He followed that up with a bogey on the second hole and five straight pars before ending his front nine with another birdie and bogey on holes nine and 10 for an even-par 36.
A birdie on the par-4 10th hole put him in red figures and contention for the top spot, but his toughest stretch of the day followed.
He followed with a double bogey on hole 11 and bogeys on holes 12 and 13 before rebounding to clinch his state qualifying spot.
A birdie on hole 16, along with four pars over the final five holes helped him end the day 2–over par. His four birdies on the day led the field.
As one of the first players to tee off, Davis had to wait to see if his 74 would be enough.
The day of the regional, it seemed to be just enough with him taking the last qualifying spot behind scores of 73 from Eastbrook’s Aaron Fulda and Cathedral’s John Leaman.
After an incorrect scorecard from a Fishers player disqualified him and pushed Cathedral into the top three teams, Davis’ 74 became second-best among non-qualifying players.
Tipton’s Gavin Hare was the beneficiary of the disqualification and grabbed the final qualifying spot with a round of 76.
Hamilton Southeastern won the regional with a team score of 297, Noblesville was runner-up with a 305, and Cathedral took the last state spot with a 317. Fishers, after the disqualification, dropped to fourth with a 318, and Mt. Vernon was fifth with a score of 321.
The overall medalist was Hamilton Southeastern’s Dane Starnes with an even-par 72.
Along with Davis, teammate Hayden Fox competed at the regional. The sophomore shot a 10-over par 82.
The state finals took place on Tuesday and Wednesday after press time at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.
