<p>CARMEL</p>
<p>Nearly six hours of weather delays made for a memorably inconvenient first day at the annual IHSAA Boys Golf State Finals.</p>
<p>Once play finally concluded Tuesday evening at Prairie View Golf Club, top-ranked Center Grove found itself in a tie for third place with a score of 296. Defending state champion Westfield picked up where it left off last June, taking immediate command with its 3-under-par total of 285.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]
<p>In second place entering today’s final round is Hamilton Southeastern (291). Fort Wayne Dwenger is deadlocked with Center Grove in third (296).</p>
<p>Center Grove, which finished four shots behind Westfield at the 2015 state finals, finds itself in familiar territory. The Trojans played inspired golf the second day a year ago but ran out of time — and holes — in finishing runner-up.</p>
<p>“We’ve got a shot at it. We’re within striking distance,” Center Grove coach Jim Williams said. “We could’ve handled the delay a little better, but some of the scores being put up are just unbelievable.”</p>
<p>Case in point: Hamilton Southeastern senior Cole McAree, who tied the Prairie View course record by carding seven birdies on his way to a 65.</p>
<p>For Center Grove, sophomore No. 1 player Noah Gillard birdied the par-4 second hole and then remained consistent throughout to shoot a 2-under-par 70. Ethan Shepherd parred all nine holes on the front side on his way to a 73.</p>
<p>Center Grove’s No. 3 player, Sam Jean, finished his 18 holes with a 77. Senior Tyler Rankel recovered from a triple-bogey on the first hole to shoot 76, while Jackson Williams had an 80.</p>
<p>First off the tee for the Trojans was No. 5 player Jackson Williams at 9:12 a.m.</p>
<p>All five Center Grove players were on the front nine when tournament officials sounded the first horn for players to cease play at 10:12 a.m. due to storms in the vicinity.</p>
<p>Play didn’t resume until 3:13 p.m.</p>
<p>Only 50 minutes later, inclement conditions again halted play. This time, however, the delay was brief — approximately 37 minutes.</p>
<p>Gillard punctuated the day’s play by tapping in the final shot of the first round at 9:27 p.m.</p>
