C.P.'s Grubnich, B.G.'s Nicol advance to finals

FRANKLIN | Extremely opposite results were compiled on the final holes of play Tuesday by Crown Point's Nick Grubnich and Boone Grove's Tyler Nicol, but each shared one thing in common.

Both Grubnich and Nicol advanced to today's championship round of the IHSAA state finals at The Legends of Indiana Golf Course. Grubnich double-bogeyed his final hole, but still finished at 1-under-par 69. Nicol drained a 25-foot putt to complete an automatic-qualifying, even par round.

Carmel's Connor O'Neal leads after the first round with a 65. Grubnich is tied for ninth, while Nicol is tied for 14th.

Two years ago, Grubnich was 3 under after his opening round and finished third overall. He missed the second round last season with an opening-round 75.

Just like two seasons ago, rains forced delays and the course was refigured, with par being moved to 70. The par 5 15th wasn't playable again, and a par 3 hole was substituted. On this occasion, tee times were moved back two hours.

Grubnich appeared to take advantage once again with six birdies (Nos. 1, 4, 6, 11, 12 and 15). The final-hole score didn't dampen the round.

"I'm definitely kind of disappointed by the last hole, but my first goal was to make it out," Grubnich said. "I started off really hot, hit a rough stretch in the middle of the round and cranked it up again until 17.

"I've advanced before, so I had confidence I could do it again. I was hitting it pretty well all day."

While Grubnich had a little wiggle room, Nicol needed his long putt to move on.

"I definitely knew I had to hole it," said Nicol, making his first appearance at state. "That thought was running through my head the entire time of the putt."

The putt rolled close to the hole and then lipped in.

"I was pretty nervous," Nicol said. "I definitely wanted that one to go in."

Nicol became the second Boone Grove golfer in program history to advance to the second round. Former teammate Taylor Noel advanced to the final round last season.

"I just wanted to go for even par," Nicol said. "That was my goal."

Boys Golf | 74th annual state finals

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Valparaiso also qualified for the second day with a 297. PAGE B4