Recent High School graduates shine at Northwest Indiana Golf Classic
By Anthony Nasella Post-Tribune correspondent June 3, 2012 11:34PM
Steve Rankin of Lowell, IN shows his dissapointment after missing a put on the 12th green at the Post-Tribune Golf Classic at Turkey Creek in Merrillville, IN on Sunday June 3, 2012. | Jim Karczewski~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: July 7, 2012 8:21AM
MERRILLVILLE — For a first-time competitor at the Northwest Indiana Golf Classic, Crown Point’s Taylor Noel made a pretty good impression during Sunday’s qualifying round at Turkey Creek Golf Course.
A 2009 Boone Grove graduate and former all-state golfer, Noel shot 71 to earn the top of spot in the majors division with a round that consisted of three birdies and three bogeys.
“I started to get some good putts, Noel said. “The putts were a work in progress — I missed about five of them 10 feet in for birdies. It was hard to come out cold with no (practice on a) driving range. I shot here on Wednesday and only two other times before.”
Noel, who found out about the tournament from friends at his home course, Lakes of the Four Seasons, has been recovering from a wrist injury he suffered in his second match this season at the University of Tampa.
Placing second was John Martharkis with a 72. His best finish in the Northwest Indiana Classic was a top 10 in 1999 when he finished with a 70 at South Gleason in Gary. He made birdies on both par 3s on front (No. 3 and No. 6).
“I just made a lot of putts.” Martharkis said. “I just stayed out of trouble. I’m happy with it. The wind was blowing, and the greens are slick.”
Tied for third was Dale Jalovecky and Nick Stasil, who both shot 73. Stasil had a birdie on No. 1 and bogeys on Nos. 3 and 6. He shot a double bogey on No. 8 and finished with birdies on 17 and 18.
“Anything that had to do with ball-striking, who knows where the ball was going today,” said Stasil, who was a regional champion at Chesterton High School. “I ended with two birdies and putted good, but it was just a grind. I finally realized on the 16th that I was aiming 90 yards right of my target all day.”
Jalovecky had a bogey on No. 2 and eagles on Nos. 3 and 9 to make up for two double bogeys (13 and 14).
“I never gave myself the chance at any birdie opportunities,” he said. “Driving is what hurt me today; I was out of position. A lot of guys can shoot pretty shots for a 73. I’m not that guy.”
Ryan Kutansky, an attorney from St. John, finished the day in fourth with a 74. He made 15 pars and had just a bogey and double bogey. He made the bogey on No. 16 when he topped his shot and put it in the water. He got up and down for par on No. 16 by making a 15-foot putt.
“I was just steady all day,” Kutansky said. “I didn’t do anything crazy.”
