BG STATE FINALS: #3 Evansville Harrison denies #2 Brebeuf a three-peat
June 13, 2012
Hoosier AuthorityBy Steve McClure
Contributing Writer
FRANKLIN – With all eyes on defending two-time state champion Brebeuf Jesuit and first-round leader Columbus North on Day 2 of the 76th Annual IHSAA Boys Golf State Finals, senior Sean Stone was carding a 29 on his first nine holes to help third-ranked Evansville Harrison bolt to the top of the leaderboard and eventually on to its first state title June 13.
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Stone, who plays the No. 2 position in the Harrison lineup, started the day at 1-under after shooting a 71 Tuesday. That was good enough for a third-place tie with three other golfers two shots back of crosstown rival sophomore Dylan Meyer of Evansville Central, who was at -3.
But by the turn on Wednesday, Stone had birdied seven of the first nine holes to stand at a stunning 8-under.
While Stone was lighting up the scoreboard, news traveled fast across the par-72, 6,736-yard grounds of The Legends of Indiana Golf Club. With Stone posting such a low round, it gave cause for his teammates to rally as well.
At the same time, it stunned the top teams on an ideal day in which the sun came out in the afternoon and temperatures climbed into the low 80s.
And as it got warmer, Evansville Harrison kept up the pace while keeping the pressure on its higher-profile opponents: second-ranked Brebeuf, which was shooting for a record third straight title, and top-ranked Columbus North, which set a state finals record last year with a round of 283.
By the time Stone reached the final hole, a large gallery had surrounded the green. Stone's tee shot almost found the water on the left edge, and his pitch shot went over the back side of the green.
With an almost impossible look at the pin, Stone managed to delicately put his shot about 15 feet from the hole. His putt for par almost went in, and the subsequent short tap-in was the start of what would be a joyous celebration.
Harrison's No. 1 golfer, senior Alex Turner, finished out his career with a 74 to join Stone in the Top 10 tied for fifth at +2.
Day 1 leader Meyer shot a 74 Wednesday to finish second at -1, followed by Indianapolis Cathedral senior Jon Williams (third at even par), Plainfield senior Rylan Porter (fourth at +1), Carmel junior Andrew Havill/Brebeuf senior Wil Pahud/Turner (tied for fifth at +2), Warsaw junior Jon Schram/Floyd Central junior Daniel Shephard (tied for eighth ay +3), and Brebeuf senior Max Gagnier (10th at +4).
Brebeuf’s Tenbarge wins Mental Attitude Award
At the conclusion of the state finals, Will Tenbarge of Brebeuf Jesuit was selected as the winner of the Fred A. Keesling Mental Attitude Award by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a $1,000 scholarship to the school in his name.
The committee presents the Fred A. Keesling Award to the outstanding senior participant during the state finals each year. The recipient of the award, nominated by his principal and coach, was determined to have best demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability in boys golf. The award is named after the former long-time state tournament director.
The No. 3 golfer on Brebeuf’s team, Tenbarge also was a member of last year’s state championship team and voted most improved by his team. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Tenbarge of Carmel also was a two-year letterwinner in football.
Academically, he finished 23rd in his senior class of 204 students and will study business and pre-law at Indiana University in the fall. He is a two-time Indiana High School Forensic Association state champion in Public Forum Debate and has earned the level of Superior Distinction by the National Forensic League.
