P UT T I N G I T ALL TO G E T H ER Center Grove Wins Boys Golf State Title on Final Putt
Writer / Kevin Conrad Photography Provided
The No. 4 state-ranked Center Grove boys golf team won its second IHSAA State Championship by the slimmest of margins, one stroke. After trailing by three strokes at the conclusion of the opening round, the Trojans took the lead on the back nine of the final round on day two, surpassing No. 1 Guerin Catholic and No. 2 Carmel. Center Grove, however, needed to win the last hole by two strokes to secure the team state title. CG senior and number one player Sam Slaughter, in his final tournament as a Trojan, did just that. “After hole 17, he (CG Golf Head Coach Matt Rodman) kept me composed and told me it’s not over,” Slaughter says. “After tripling (hole 17) and knowing it’s close, I thought I may have put us in a bad position. There’s never been a time coach didn’t give me positive vibes. I stepped up and hit the five shots I needed to hit to beat Guerin (Catholic).”
After tapping in his final putt, Slaughter began the Trojans’ State Championship celebration by heaving his golf ball as far as he could throw it into the Prairie View Golf Club woods. As Slaughter walked off the 18th green, he was greeted by Rodman’s open arms and a long congratulatory hug. “Coach always told us we can’t win it on the front nine, but just stay in it,” Slaughter says. “The fun happens on the back nine. It came down to 15, 16, 17, and 18. We knew whatever place we got we had a great season. A lot of the season we weren’t ranked very high. We tried not to put any pressure on us. It was close, but we came out (on top).” Center Grove senior and number four player Brandon Heffner will miss playing with his teammates and friends. “I love these guys,” he says. “After Slaughter dropped that putt (on 18 to win it), it was a mix of emotions of happiness and sadness, but more happiness. I wish I could have one more ride with these guys,
TownePost.com / JULY 2021 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 27
