IHSAA girls golf takeaways: Castle continued to show its potential at regional
MONTGOMERY, Ind. – This moment was years in making for the Castle High School girls' golf program.
The No. 2 Knights shot a 296 at Country Oaks to win their first regional championship since 2011. Castle had four of the top five scores in the tournament and broke the school record for a regional.
This team, ranked near the top of the poll all season, was the overwhelming favorite. It still won by nearly 50 shots.
“That is an incredible score,” said Castle coach Luke Richison. “It was players playing their game. They knew what they had to do. They stuck to the game plan. They played it safe and did well.”
The top three teams and two individuals on non-advancing teams earned spots at the IHSAA state championship next weekend at Prairie View. Here are five takeaways from the regional on Saturday.
Castle is a legitimate state title contender
This could have been assumed going into the weekend. But following this performance and that score, there is no doubt who one of the favorites will be next week.
The Knights went low across the lineup. Lydia Bauersfeld and Ashley Kirkland both shot 72 to match for low round of the day – more on them later – while Hailey Kirkland and Sami Lawrence both shot 76. Even Laney Bauersfeld would have contended with an 84 from the fifth spot.
They avoided high scores. They hit their spots and gladly accepted pars. It’s difficult to lose when you don’t make mistakes.
More:Castle's sectional title signaled a changing of the guard in girls golf
“Our program isn’t what they expect of us,” said Ashley Kirkland. “We weren’t supposed to be anything, then we come out here and shoot the scores we do. We have big plans for the rest of the season.”
The 296 was the seventh-best regional score in IHSAA tournament history. It was also one shot better than Castle’s top competitor at the next stage. No. 1 Carmel posted a 297 at Battle Ground Golf Club near Lafayette. They're different courses with different conditions but comparable when considering how far Country Oaks played on Saturday.
Only six players in the field broke 80. Four of them were Knights.
Bauersfeld and Kirkland both deserved medalist
It was awkward. It took longer than anticipated. But this was two talented players hitting exceptional golf shots at its core. Both Bauersfeld and Kirkland would have been a deserving champion.
After the round, both were sent back to the 18th tee for a sudden-death playoff. Both hit the fairway and the green. Both two-putted for par. So they repeated the process.
Bauersfeld finally took the top individual honor a par at the par-5 No. 1, the third playoff hole. Kirkland went long on her approach and chipped well past the hole.
“I’m proud of the heart both of them showed in that playoff,” said Richison. “From the perspective as a coach, we’re going to have a Castle player win no matter what. Those two put a lot of passion into those few holes. I love to see that drive between them.”
This could be huge for Bauersfeld moving forward. It was the first postseason title of her high school career after close finishes last year. She didn’t miss a fairway or green in the three extra holes.
“I’ve never been in a big playoff like that with a bunch of people watching,” said Bauersfeld. “Since it was my senior year, I really wanted to win. But we really don’t care who is the lowest round. It could come from any of us.”
It was also more evidence of how good Kirkland could be. She was the SIAC champion at Sultan’s Run and the individual medalist at Fendrich the past two weekends. The sophomore wasn’t afraid of the situation.
“I loved every second of it,” said Kirkland. “Even if I lost. It was fun. That is what I’ve been working for. Even if I lost, I know what to do next time.”
Gibson Southern showed that every shot matters
Kristen Harpenau could only describe the mood as “nerve racking.” A fair phrase considering how close Gibson Southern was to seeing its season end.
The Titans earned the final team spot at Prairie View with a third-place 355. It actually tied Jasper but Gibson Southern won on a fifth-score tiebreaker. The Titans had a 97. The Wildcats turned in a 98.
The team knew it was in third at the turn but didn’t expect the scenario to unfold the way it did.
“We knew we had a good chance to come out of this,” said Harpenau. “I didn’t know how close and I don’t think the girls did either. Coming up to see those scores was shocking. We are thrilled and pretty excited.”
Madilyn Sperling led the Titans with an 85, followed by Haley Hughes (87), Vanessa Schmitt (88) and Adryauna Redden (95). Katelyn Walker had the decisive 97 to send Gibson Southern to the state championship. It will be the first trip since 2019 when the Titans finished 14th.
Only one member of the lineup (Schmitt) played on that team. The program is solidifying itself as one of the best in the area.
“I can’t take any credit for the program since it’s our first year doing this,” said Harpenau. “There is a lot of talent on our team. They all work really hard to keep it going. For (Vanessa) to go back her senior year, it’s like a proud mom moment.”
A pair of seniors will finish on a high note
For Trinity Dubbs of South Knox, it will be her third trip to Carmel. For Emma Ruxer of Jasper, it will be her first. Both showed the talent necessary to play on the final weekend of the season.
Dubbs and Ruxer earned the individual tickets to the state championship. Only two advanced this year following the addition of a sixth regional. In previous years, five individuals from non-advancing teams would earn spots.
Dubbs nearly took home the top prize before putting woes and an errant tee shot set her back over the final few holes. The South Knox senior still carded a 75 to earn another trip to state. She finished tied for 44th last year.
“It means a lot because it’s my last year,” said Dubbs. “I want to prove to myself that a small town girl can make it to a big world. It’s fun to have one more go round and show what I’ve actually got. I was thinking about it too hard (near the end). I lost it for a few shots but was able to bring it back.”
Ruxer would have gladly traded her individual spot for her teammates to join her. But the senior put the Wildcats in a position to succeed with a 79. Ruxer only started playing golf a few years ago. She’ll now finish on the big stage against the best in the state.
“I would not have thought this my freshman year,” said Ruxer. “It’s so cool. I felt pretty confident through the first nine and had a few bumps on the back. After my last hole, I didn’t think I would be right there. My skills showed today.”
The SIAC had a strong showing
Even with just one team and one individual advancing, the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference had a splendid day at Country Oaks.
Jasper finished fourth by a single shot. Most of the team returns too including sophomore Addie Dart (84). Mater Dei returns four of its starting five – junior Grace Rohleder led the Wildcats with an 89 – following a sixth-place 379. Memorial was seventh at 386 and will be anchored by a pair of solid returners next fall.
North, the two-time defending state champion, also performed well with senior Emma Seits and sophomore Kiley Standring both squarely in the mix. Seits shot an 81 to finish one spot out while Standring posted an 85. Vincennes Lincoln junior Macy Sexton finished with a 98 in her third trip to the regional.
Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA girls golf takeaways: Castle wins regional at Country Oaks
