By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – The stage has changed, the show remains the same.
With a new course to conquer, Bedford North Lawrence will defend its IHSAA regional title, and audition for another role in the state championship for a fifth consecutive year, when the Stars compete in the second stage of the state tournament series on Friday.
For the first time since 2014, the regional has been moved on short notice from Country Oaks, which has become unplayable for high-level competition, to a temporary home at Hulman Links in Terre Haute. BNL won two of the last three regionals on the former site, so mastering an unfamiliar course – and earning one of the team tickets to the finals – will be a double-edged problem.
The top three teams in the field of 15 (plus the top three individuals who are not members of qualifying teams) will advance to the state finals at Battle Ground in Lafayette (another venue change because of course conditions at Prairie View). BNL, coming off its 14th consecutive sectional title, lost its experience edge from previous conquests at Country Oaks.
“I think it’s an open slate,” BNL coach Carly Stigall said. “The course change really wipes out the playing field, what I thought it would look like. You have to show up to win a regional, so it will be who shows up to play the best golf.“
The Stars will need their best. No.6 Castle (which shot 293 while winning the sectional in Evansville) and Barr-Reeve (313 while victorious at North Knox) will be among the frontrunners, and three other contenders posted better numbers than BNL (357 at Otis Park) in the sectional round. Scores depend on the course, of course, but that’s an indication of the talent in the field and the challenge ahead.
“The mental game and discipline of shots will have to be at a higher level than it’s ever been, more locked in and focused,” Stigall said. “We need to pay attention to our own game, more than anyone else or the course in general.”
Four of the Stars in the five-player lineup have been through this before. Sammie Nusbaum (last year’s regional medalist), Emma Voris (this year’s sectional medalist), Kadynn Canada and Bella Warren have been to the state finals. They know the way, even with this detour.
“It’s a big factor, but this is not Country Oaks anymore,” Stigall said. “Sammie and Emma have the most experience, they know their swings and know how to discipline themselves. They will lead us in doing what we need to do to win. They have seen this course before and can give some advice, but it will take all five of them (including Bella Montgomery) to bring in four good scores.”
BNL has won regional titles in 1985, 2023 and 2025. The more important goal is maintaining the state finals streak.
”It’s everything,” Stigall said. “We’re trying to continue this program to the best of our ability. I know these kids want it, they want to keep making history.”
The two rounds of the state finals are scheduled for Oct. 2-3.
