Center Grove junior Brody Holubar is the Daily Journal’s Player of the Year in boys golf for a second consecutive season.
Daily Journal file photo
Finding a way to the top of Center Grove’s lineup is slightly less challenging than remaining there.
If anyone’s an authority on the subject, it’s Brody Holubar.
The junior, challenged in daily practices by teammates who in many cases possess the kind of game good enough to be the No. 1 player for the majority of the state’s other teams, held his ground.
As a result, Holubar, whose 18-hole average this season was 73, is the Daily Journal’s Player of the Year for a second consecutive season.
“Brody kept the ball in play more, his short game was better this year, and he was definitely more prone to throw more birdies out there,” Trojans coach Matt Rodman said. “He’s pretty even keel most of the time. He just tries to keep grinding the best he can. I think it’s how Brody practices. He’s not necessarily a loud leader, but is naturally gifted with just his general demeanor.”
As one might expect, the 2024 season included some rounds of golf Holubar wishes he could do over — most notably an uncharacteristic 82 at the Johnson County tournament and his first-round 79 at the state finals.
In both cases, he bounced back strong. He carded a 72 and beat teammate James Beetz in a playoff to earn medalist honors at sectional a few days after county, and posted a final-round 73 at state. Such resilience was a byproduct of past experiences.
“As a sophomore last year, I didn’t really know what to expect,” Holubar said. “This year, I had a lot of confidence because of the way I played in the (2023) postseason.
“It’s being able to trust myself, because if you don’t trust yourself, you’re not going to be able to hit golf shots. It’s having the mindset of, ‘I’m going to hit the fairway,’ not ‘I’m going to put it in the trees.’”
Center Grove’s lineup at state was comprised exclusively of underclassmen, a reality that guarantees absolutely nothing when it comes to next spring. As is custom, the Trojans’ pool of talent could probably produce two competition-ready lineups worthy of top-20 status in Indiana. Perhaps even three.
On a team as deep as Center Grove’s, hanging on to No. 1 is an undertaking in and of itself. If you can manage to do that for a full season, most other challenges can feel easy by comparison.
“I just feel like golf … it’s more calm, for sure, but people don’t realize how competitive it is,” Holubar said. “You have to go out there and prove yourself because guys are coming after you.
“We showed what we could do this year, and if everybody gets a few shots better, I think we can win state.”
ALL-COUNTY TEAM
The 2024 All-County team in boys golf:
James Beetz, Center Grove junior: Finished season with 18-hole stroke average score of 76 … Regional runner-up with a 70 … Played No. 4 spot for Trojans at state finals, carding scores of 77 and 78 to tie for 28th individually.
Kadin Gibson, Franklin senior: Shot score of 74 to lead Grizzly Cubs to second place at sectional … Season average of 78 … Shot a 73 at regional … will play golf at Vincennes University.
Drew Hardin, Center Grove junior: Fired a 73 at sectional to finish one shot out of first … Carded a 75 at regional … Scores of 83 and 76 good for a 50th-place tie individually at state finals … County tournament runner-up.
Brody Holubar, Center Grove junior: Played No. 1 for Trojans … Medalist at sectional with a 72, defeating Beetz in a playoff … Finished season with 73 stroke average for 18 holes … Tied for 18th at state finals, shooting 79 and 73.
Noah Parsetich, Center Grove junior: Averaged 77 per 18 holes … Had a 74 at sectional and another 74 at regional … Shot 78 and 81 to finish tied for 50th at state finals as Trojans finished fifth in team standings.
Noah Reed, Greenwood Christian junior: Shot 74 at sectional to advance … Regional medalist with a 69 and county tournament medalist … Had an 18-hole average of 73 … Tied for 39th at state with scores of 80 and 77.
Kalen Rowland, Greenwood freshman: Shot a 74 to lead Woodmen to second-place finish at county tournament … Played No. 1 for the Woodmen, finishing season with 18-hole average of 75 … Had a 77 at sectional.
Nathan Springer, Center Grove sophomore: Played second in the Trojans’ lineup, finishing season with 18-hole average of 75 … Tied with Holubar for 18th individually at state finals, shooting 76 on both days.
Honorable mention
Davis Arthur, Greenwood; Luke Bechert, Franklin; Jahlen Burton, Greenwood; Reid Davidson, Franklin; Matthew Ferguson, Franklin; Jack Lock, Franklin; Finn Satre, GCA; Will Smith, Whiteland
