Day one is in the books and 30 players will continue their competition tomorrow in the final round of the 2nd Indiana Adaptive Golf Championship at the Golf Club of Indiana in Whitestown, Indiana.
The Championship is open to all players from all Sport Classes as defined by the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance Player Classification system. The field includes 30 players, representing 10 different impairment categories, as well as an overall senior, overall men’s division, and overall women’s division.
Our current leaders in the Overall Men’s division are Evan Mathias of Indianapolis, Indiana and Lucas Jones of Louisville, Kentucky. Both players are returning competitors and finished the first round -3, 69. Mathias represents the Multiple Leg division and had 5 birdies and 1 eagle today. Jones represents the Below Knee category and followed suit with 5 birdies. Mathias has competed in both U.S. Adaptive Open Championships, where he recently finished 29th overall and first in his division.
This year’s competition has expanded with two women competitors entering the field. One of these players is Sophia Howard of Hudsonville, Michigan who currently leads the women’s division at +16, 88. Howard was 15 years old and the youngest player in the first U.S. Adaptive Open in 2022. Howard represented the Arm-Assisted division and returned to the National Championship this year where she finished fourth in her respective division and thirteenth overall.
This year’s field includes players from Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, and has made its way to the international crowd with a representative from Australia.
Defending Champion, Kyle Erickson of Minneapolis, Minnesota, currently trails our leaders in third at 1-under par, 71. He has made his way back to this year’s event, noting his appreciation for last year’s layout and overall operation.
“Indiana Golf put on such a good tournament last year just in terms of organization. The course was in great shape, the actual setup was perfect, and I knew that the word would get around and it would entice some more players to come out this year” said Erickson.
He added “This field is a lot deeper this year. There are some better players and I knew I would want to be out here to compete with them. I come as the defending champion but I certainly don’t come as the favorite this year, there are some really good players out here”.
Divisions
Above Knee (G1)
Below Knee (G2)
Multiple Leg (G3)
Arm-Unassisted (G4)
Arm-Assisted (G5)
Arm & Leg Imp. (G7)
CP/MD (G8)
Seated (G9 & G10)
Blind (G11, G12, G13
Short Stature (G14)
Overall Senior – 9
Overall Men’s – 19
Overall Women’s – 2