LAPEL — It was so much fun the first time, Macy Beeson would like to do it again.

Lapel High School’s top girls golfer was the school’s first individual state champion last year; not bad for a sophomore.

Now a junior, Beeson is excited about defending her crown as the state’s best.

The 2021 high school girls golf season got underway this week. Lapel opened its season Tuesday at the Hamilton Southeastern Invitational.

Last year, Beeson shot a 2-over-par 146 at Carmel’s Prairie View Golf Club to win the two-round state final. She beat Carmel freshman Michaela Headlee by one stroke.

Prior to the state meet, Beeson had won individual championships at the sectional and regional levels.

“I’m excited. I’d love to repeat what I did,” Beeson said. “It’s my whole goal.”

While Beeson would like to equal her individual accomplishments made during her sophomore year, she is hoping the team accomplishments are more like her rookie season at Lapel High School.

The 2019 group advanced to state as a team, placing 13th. Last year’s team did not qualify, placing sixth at the regional. (The top 3 teams advance).

With a veteran group returning, coach Dylan Crosley and Beeson believe a trip to the state meet is attainable.

Along with Beeson, Chloe Renihan, Kerith Renihan and Grace Martin are back with varsity experience. Newcomers in the mix are Rosemary Likens, Emma Manning and Georgia Manning.

They lost just one player to graduation, Sierra Campbell.

“I believe our team can win the county, compete for a sectional championship, make it out of the regional and make it to state,” Crosley said. “I have a lot of faith in our players. If we go out and play like we know how to play, we can make those goals come true.”

“I think we can make it to state again. I really do,” Beeson said. “If we just put our time in and work as hard as we can and get our numbers as low as possible, I think we can definitely make it back like we did my freshman year.”

Beeson isn’t resting on her laurels.

She has been working hard on her short game, improving her putting and chipping. Plus, with already having an individual state title under her belt, she has a different mental approach to the 2021 season.

“I feel more relaxed this season,” she said. “I know I can accomplish what I want to do. Just knowing I can do it relaxes me a little more.”

“It is very exciting to have Macy returning,” Crosley added. “My expectation for Macy is to go out and have fun and go as low as she possibly can, the same as the previous two years. Everyone knows she is a great player. I’m hoping this year and the next will be a repeat of her sophomore year. The future is bright for Macy, I can’t wait to watch her and the Bulldogs play this season.”

Crosley got his first look Tuesday when the Bulldogs competed with some of the larger schools in the state at the invitational in Fishers.

Lapel shot a 359 and finished ninth out of 13 teams.

Beeson shot a 68, but lost in a playoff to finish second overall. Chloe Renihan shot 86. Kerith Renihan followed with a 100. Martin had a 105, and Likens carded a 113.

Carmel Gold won with a 282, three strokes better than Westfield Green.

The top eight teams consisted of three schools, all significantly larger than Lapel, playing with multiple groups. There were three from Hamilton Southeastern, two from Westfield, two from Carmel and a team from Fishers. Lapel finished ahead of Hamilton Heights, another Fishers team and Roncalli, among the groups that had enough players for team scores.

Lapel is scheduled to compete in the Kokomo Invitational on Saturday.

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2021 Lapel Girls Golf Schedule

Date;Opponent;Time

Aug. 3;at HSE Invitational;8 a.m.

Aug. 7;at Kokomo Invitational;1:30 p.m.

Aug. 11;vs. Daleville;4:30 p.m.

Aug. 14;Lapel Invitational;9 a.m.

Aug. 16;at Muncie Central/Frankton;4:30 p.m.

Aug. 17;vs. Ritter/Lawrence Central/Knightstown;4:30 p.m.

Aug. 21;at Madison County Tournament;2 p.m.

Aug. 23;at Madison Co. Tournament (Rain Date);4 p.m.

Aug. 24;at Elwood/Shenandoah;5 p.m.

Aug. 31;at Alexandria/Tipton;4:30 p.m.

Sept. 7;vs. Heritage Christian/Pendleton Heights;4:30 p.m.

Sept. 9;at Mt. Vernon/Yorktown;4:30 p.m.

Sept. 11;at Noblesville Invitational;1:30 p.m.

Sept. 15;vs. Anderson;4 p.m.

Sept. 20;at Noblesville Sectional;9 a.m.

Sept. 25;at Lapel Regional;9 a.m.

Oct. 1;at State Finals (Carmel);TBA

Oct. 2;at State Finals (Carmel);TBA

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2021 Lapel Girls Golf Roster

Seniors

Georgia Manning

Chloe Renihan

Juniors

Macy Beeson

Grace Martin

Kerith Renihan

Sophomores

Rosemary Likens

Emma Manning

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