GG: #6 HSE opens title defense with rain-shorted upset of #1 Carmel

NOBLESVILLE – Rain once again reared its soggy head at the annual Hamilton Southeastern Invitational held Aug. 4 at Stony Creek Golf Club. But nine holes were enough for the No. 6 host Royals to open defense of their girls golf team title with a three-stroke victory over top-ranked Carmel at this four-school event.

With the originally scheduled format cut in half by Mother Nature, Southeastern’s Blue squad took the 2,500-yard layout (rating 69.8, slope 115) by storm. Paced by Anne Leighty’s 36, the Royals pieced together a very consistent round in carding a 150, there strokes better than both Carmel and No. 4 Roncalli.

No. 11 Noblesville, led by the 33 of medalist Meghan Potee, finished fourth at 160, while Hamilton Southeastern’s second team posted a 163.

Behind Leighty, HSE Blue got solid season-opening scoring efforts from Brooke Beegle (37), Kelsey Smith (38), and Darcy Allman (39), with Kelli Ray rounding out the five-player HSE attack with a non-scoring 42. HSE Red enjoyed a solid day as well, with Kelsie Wilkins (39), Megan Kiefer (40), and Carolyn Kraus (40) sticking right close while representing the back-up unit.

“The Royals got off to a great start today – kind of,” said HSE coach Steve Guenin. “Everyone did manage to get in nine holes, and Carmel, Noblesville, Roncalli, and HSE Blue were able to complete a nine-hole, four-way match.”

Carmel, fresh off its opening-day team title at the Brebeuf Invite, undoubtedly would have liked a shot at the Royals over a second nine holes. Ari Savich led the Greyhounds with a 35, with Briana Midkiff carding a 38 and both Kate McDougal and Rebecca Price shooting 40 for coach Ken Kelly’s troops.

HSE’s first unit next will compete Wednesday in the Kokomo Invitational at Chippendale. Carmel, meanwhile, will hope for better weather and a full 18 holes Thursday at Foxcliff in the Artesian Invitational hosted by third-ranked Martinsville.

Team scores
#6 Hamilton Southeastern Blue 150
#1 Carmel 153
#4 Roncalli 153
#11 Noblesville 160
Hamilton Southeastern Red 163