By Tom Reck
TERRE HAUTE — Two boys high school golf teams from the Wabash Valley will begin play in the state finals today, hoping to earn a spot in the final round at The Legend of Indiana Course at Franklin.
Terre Haute South was second in the regional at Country Oaks and Northview was third to earn their spots in the 21-team finals. Both teams hope to fare well today to earn a spot in Wednesday’s finals.
The Braves and Knights have competed against each in two tournaments in addition to the sectional and regional and in regular nine-hole matches. South was in the finals last year and has been there five of the past seven seasons.
One senior, one junior and three sophomores make up the lineup for the Braves.
Zach Hosking, Thomas Goss and Shelby Stewart made the trip last year. Brock Welch and Jackson Jarvis will be making their first trip.
Goss has been second-low medalist in the regional two years in a row, while Hosking and Stewart had the top scores for the Braves in the finals last year.
Northview is in the finals for the first time since 2000. Seniors Kade Baker and Austin Akers and juniors Drew Snyder, Ryan Turner and Daniel Eaglin will be teeing off for coach Scott Buell’s team today.
The Knights beat out Evansville Central and Castle in the regional to make it to state. Central had been ranked No. 12 in the final poll and Castle had been ranked often during the season.
Terre Haute South was ranked 16th in the final poll and was second to Carmel in the rain-shortened Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference tournament.
South and Carmel are the two MIC teams in today’s field. Northview, West Lafayette, Prairie Heights and Providence are the lone teams in the finals not to be ranked in the final poll.
Tee times begin at 8 a.m. The first Terre Haute South begins at 8:56 a.m. from the first tee and the first Northview player goes off at 8:48 a.m. from the 10th tee.
