(CARMEL) – Bedford North Lawrence junior Addyson Bailey battled the swirling winds and early putting problems to post an 87 in the first round of the IHSAA state finals at Prairie View Golf Club on Friday afternoon.
Bailey carded four double-bogeys and a triple on the tough track while finishing tied for 49th in the field. She will cap the 2019 campaign in the final round on Saturday.
Bailey, making her third straight appearance in the state championship, started on the back nine and immediately doubled the 10th and 11th hole, needing 7 putts on the first two greens. She got that fixed while carding six pars (plus the triple on the 17th) on the back, and she one-putted eight greens on the front.
The fickle winds were another issue. Bailey hit two greens in regulation.
“It was a very rough day for me on the course,” Bailey said. “I got off to a bad start, and the wind was every which way. I couldn’t figure that out. I learned to keep cool.”
On the front, Bailey bogeyed the first three holes and suffered two more doubles.
“She got off to a bad start, mainly with the putter,” BNL coach Aaron Sanders said. “She got that straightened out, but she didn’t hit enough greens. She was decent off the tee, but her iron game wasn’t where it needed to be. The wind was swirling all day, and there was some doubt over the ball.
“She learned some things today. She will regroup and have fun tomorrow.”
Homestead’s Morgan Dabagia was the first-round individual leader with a 2-under 70, powering Homestead to a team total of 302 and a 9-shot lead over top-ranked and defending champion Evansville North.
Bailey will play the final round with the goal of breaking 80.
“My strategy is to play my game,” she said. “Get into a good rhythm and have a better attitude.”
