2022-23 Girls Golf State Finals Recap
September 30-October 1, 2022
Columbus North Freshman Ava Bunker wins State Championship, Team Title to Carmel
Near perfect weather and course conditions made for a memorable 50th Annual IHSAA Girls Golf State Finals played at Prairie View Golf Club.
At the end of the two-round tournament, freshman Ava Bunker of Columbus North claimed the individual state championship while top-ranked Carmel won the team competition.
Holding a five-stroke lead after Friday's opening round with a 3-under 69, Bunker's lead dwindled to two strokes on Saturday following back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 12 and 13. She played the final five holes at 1-under par, however, to run away with medalist honors finishing with a 1-over-73 and a combined 2-under-142. That score tied for fifth-best in the 50-year history of the state tournament and tied for the best in the nine years it’s been contested at Prairie View Golf Club.
Bunker is the second freshman ever to win state individual medalist honors, joining Warsaw’s Emily Johnson in 2003. Bunker is the second Bull Dog golfer to win, joining Holly Anderson, who was victorious in 2016.
Castle sophomore Ashley Kirkland finished second individually at 7-over 151 and Batesville freshman Ava South was third at 8-over 152.
Carmel won the team title with a 629, 14 shots ahead of Castle and Center Grove, who tied for runner-up honors and both schools' highest finish ever. It was the Greyhounds third state title in the sport and first since 2013 when the finals were played at The Legends of Indiana in Franklin.
Junior Claire Swathwood, who shot a 155 in the two days to finish tied for sixth place individually, led Carmel. The Greyhounds also got a top-10 showing from sophomore Sophie Mock, whose 156 tied for 10th. Other Greyhound scorers were junior Michaela Headlee who tied for 12th (157) while junior Kamryn Williams and senior Ava Nguyen tied for 28th (165).
Two-time defending state champion Macy Beeson of Lapel limped to a 32nd place finish (166) in her final event.
Culver Academies' Teglia named Mental Attitude Award recipient
At the conclusion of the state finals, Eleanor Teglia of Culver Academies was selected as the winner of the Mental Attitude Award by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.
Her team's No. 1 golfer and co-captain the last two years, Teglia finished tied for fourth in today's state finals, her third straight top 20 finish at the state finals. She also competes in Rowing for the school in the winter and spring seasons.
Teglia is one of the top students in her academic class earning Gold A honors every semester. She was elected this fall to the position of Dorm Chair, the highest leadership position in her residential community, making her responsible for 50 other girls and for welcoming and integrating new students into their dorm. Teglia was also elected as a member of the Culver Girls Academy Council, the school's highest student leadership body.
Teglia is the daughter of Dean and Karin Teglia and plans to study Business at the University of Notre Dame having made a verbal commitment for Rowing. She is the first Culver golfer golfer to be honored with the award.
With her selection, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance presented $1,000 to the Culver Academies' general scholarship fund in the name of Eleanor Teglia.
The IHSAA Executive Committee presents the Mental Attitude Award to the outstanding senior participant during the state finals each year dating back to 1973. The recipient of the award, nominated by her principal and coach, was determined to have best demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability in girls golf.