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Brebeuf Jesuit won its first golf state championship as a team and Avon’s Patrick Rodgers took the individual crown during the 74th Annual IHSAA Boys Golf State Finals at The Legends of Indiana Golf Course in Franklin.

The fourth-ranked Braves (276-286-562) maintained an eight stroke lead from Tuesday’s first round and went on to win by six over second-place Evansville North (284-284-568). It was the second straight state runner-up finish for Evansville North.

Carmel finished third as a team (284-292-576), Floyd Central (286-291-577) was fourth and Hamilton Southeastern fifth (284-300-584). Defending state champion Avon finished sixth (291-295-586).

It was the first boys golf state championship for Brebeuf Jesuit and the second for the school this year following its 3A volleyball win last fall. The Braves won their sectional title at South Grove and the regional crown at Hickory Stick over the last 12 days.

Coached by Ryan Brammer, Brebeuf Jesuit was led by junior Jacob Gould (69-68-137) and senior Chris Goodyear (67-61-138) who finished fourth and tied for fifth, respectively. Sophomore Wil Pahud tied for 17th (73-71-144), senior Eric Ong was 22nd (69-76-145) and junior Gus Gilmore tied for 35th (71-78-149). Gould, Goodyear and Ong each finished under par for Tuesday’s opening round.

Rodgers, who tied for second in last year’s state finals and helped Avon to its first team title, began the day tied for fourth after a first round 67 (-3). On Wednesday, he recorded an eagle and seven birdies including six on the back-nine to finish with a 64 (-6) and 131 (-9) for the two days. He became the first Avon golfer to win the individual state championship.

Carmel senior Connor O’Neal finished second (65-70-135), Evansville North senior David Mills, who tied with Rodgers for last year’s runner-up spot, was third (66-70-136). Crown Point junior Nick Grubnich (69-69-138) and Evansville Harrison sophomore Sean Stone (67-71-138) tied Goodyear for fifth place.

Due to the heavy rains that hit the area over the last several days, the course was re-arranged slightly and played as a par 70 and 6,317 yards instead of its normal 6,736 yards. Because of the modifications, course and state finals records were not eligible to be broken. Tuesday’s opening round began after a two hour delay while Wednesday’s final round began one hour later than scheduled.

The 74th Annual IHSAA Boys Golf State Finals
The Legends of Indiana Golf Course, Franklin
June 15-16, 2010

Final Team Standings

1.    Brebeuf Jesuit: 276-286-562
2.    Evansville North: 284-284-568
3.    Carmel: 284-292-576
4.    Floyd Central: 286-291-577
5.    Hamilton Southeastern: 284-300-584
6.    Avon: 291-295-586
7.    Evansville Harrison: 295-296-591
8.    Valparaiso: 297-296-593
9.    Martinsville: 297-298-595

Top 10 Individuals

1.    Patrick Rodgers, 11, Avon: 67-64-131
2.    Connor O’Neal, 12, Carmel: 65-70-135
3.    David Mills, 12, Evansville North: 66-70-136
4.    Jacob Gould, 11, Brebeuf Jesuit: 69-68-137
T5.    Nick Grubnich, 11, Crown Point: 69-69-138
T5.    Sean Stone, 10, Evansville Harrison: 67-71-138
T5.    Chris Goodyear, 12, Brebeuf Jesuit: 67-61-138
T8.    Jon Finley, 11, Homestead: 67-72-139
T8.    David Frank, 12, Floyd Central: 70-69-139
T8.    Wesley Bowman, 12, Hamilton Southeastern: 66-73-139

EVANSVILLE NORTH’S DAVID MILLS NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE WINNER
Following the tournament, David Mills of Evansville North High School was selected as the winner of the Fred A. Keesling Mental Attitude Award by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

The Committee presents the 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 long-time state tournament director.

Mills helped the Huskies’ golf team to a second straight runner-up finish and also finished third as an individual this year after a second place finish in 2009.

He graduated as valedictorian of his senior class of 314 students with a 4.0 GPA. He is a member of the National Honor Society with Summa Cum Laude status each semester. He will attend Indiana University on a golf scholarship and plans to study business.

Mills participates in the Distributive Education Club of America, the Spanish Club and is involved in intramurals. He also has been honored by the Kiwanis Club, chaired the Commencement Committee and has served as a peer tutor.

He is the son of Rick and Karen Mills of Evansville.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000.00 to Evansville North High School in the name of Mills.