Madison Richner and the NorthWood girls golf team are letting it be known they are among the top teams in the state, and will compete in this weekend’s prestigious HOF Tourney in West Lafayette. (File photo by Mike Deak)

WEST LAFAYETTE – For the fourth time in seven years, NorthWood will take part in one of the most prestigious high school girls golf tournaments this side of the IHSAA tournament.

NorthWood will be one of 20 teams taking part in the IHSGCA Hall of Fame tourney on Saturday, Aug. 26, at Ackerman Allen Golf Course on the campus of Purdue University. Of the 20 teams, 14 are ranked within the top 20 teams in the state including the Panthers, which check in at No. 19 this week in the IHSGCA poll.

NorthWood played in last year’s HOF tourney in Greensburg, and also played in 2013 and 2010. Teams selected to play in the tourney were chosen by a committee tied to the sport’s Hall of Fame. The tournament director is John Hatter, who serves as No. 11 Lafayette Jeff’s coach and is the IHSGCA President.

All but one of the teams currently ranked in the top 10 in the state, including No. 1 Westfield and No. 2-tied Columbus North and Zionsville, will be there.

“It’s such an honor to be invited to participate in this event for the fourth time,” said NorthWood girls golf head coach Adam Yoder. “This event always provides awesome competition on what will be a very tough course. Our girls get to walk alongside the best players and teams in the state and showcase their skills along with them. We’re also very fortunate to have an administration that supports our program in allowing us to take advantage of these prestigious tournaments financially.”

This will mark the ninth invitational NorthWood has competed in this season. The Panthers are 2-0 in dual matches this season with a double dual against Wawasee and Northridge this evening.