Indiana
How this Indiana rookie became the LPGA’s only left-handed player
When their firstborn Ethan was 6 months old, Matt and Jerlyn Shepherd moved to a house on the 18th fairway at Dye’s Walk Country Club in Greenwood, Indiana. It’s the course Matt grew up on, and the back nine happens to be the first nine holes Pete Dye ever designed.
Matt strapped a car seat to their family golf cart so that Ethan could join him. Erica came along two years later.
When Erica was old enough to hold a club, Matt put a bucket of range balls between his two kids and had Erica hold her plastic yellow club from the left side. He figured if the siblings were facing each other, they wouldn’t accidentally whack each other with a club.
That’s how Erica Shepherd, who is right-handed in every other way, became a left-handed golfer.
This season, 25-year-old Shepherd will debut as an LPGA rookie boasting two distinctions: the tour’s only lefty and only Indiana native. The last Indiana native to earn an LPGA card was former Big Ten champion Danah Bordner in 2011.
“It is crazy because there’s so many guys that are lefty,” said Shepherd of her distinction. “I mean, there are so many people on tour that I’m sure are left-handed. There’s got to be at least like 10 percent of the tour has to be, like, naturally.”
On Monday, Erica and her parents will attend the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Miami to watch their beloved Hoosiers. Matt is a 1985 Indiana graduate, and the family has had basketball season tickets for 37 years and football season tickets for 22 years. The Bloomington campus is only 45 minutes from their house. (Mom graduated from Purdue.)
“Oh my gosh, this is just un-, people don’t understand,” said Erica. “I was pretty much raised going to IU sporting events and the football games were just sad. … so this is incredible.”
Erica’s dedication to golf is a familiar tale. Like many younger siblings, she wanted to be like her older brother. And Ethan wasn’t about to let her win, either. Matt says his son always found an extra gear when playing against his sister.
“When they went out to play,” said Matt, “we knew someone was going to come back unhappy.”
Erica never felt burnout in golf because the Indiana winters forced her to put her clubs away. She played tennis, basketball, soccer and raised sheep for 4-H with Ethan.
Oreo, Daisy, Petunia. The sheep taught Erica a deep level of responsibility and a respect for the life her mother’s parents built on the family farm. When it came time to show the sheep at the county fair, she’d sleep in the pen.
On the basketball court, Erica was the first one on the floor diving after a loose ball. The talented, aggressive guard ultimately stopped playing after her freshman year, in part, to avoid serious injury. In choosing Duke and winning the 2017 U.S. Girls’ Junior, she followed in the footsteps of her mentor, longtime family friend Leigh Anne Creavy (nee Hardin), who is a member of both the Indiana Basketball and Golf halls of fame.
“I was her flower girl,” said Erica. “My middle name is Leigh, Erica Leigh after her, and she picked my first name.”
Erica graduated from Duke in 2023 while her brother played collegiate golf at Indiana University. Ethan now works in auditing at Ernst and Young in Cleveland, Ohio, where his fiancée is in medical school.
After a sparkling amateur career, professional golf hit hard. Erica missed the cut in her first seven events on the Epson Tour in 2024 after developing a bad case of the shanks.
“Those two years on the Epson Tour just tested every ounce of mental toughness and faith that I think I’ve had,” she said. “I mean, like amateur golf, junior golf, college golf was all just such a high. There was really nothing to worry about, nothing to lose. … But then on the Epson Tour, I mean, it’s obviously a very lonely life, like, it’s great too, but very lonely.”
She set out to find someone new to look at her swing and began working with Patrick Bedingfield at Bethesda Country Club in Maryland. The diagnosis: Her swing had gotten too flat.
“Since I started working with Pat, I didn’t hit another shank,” she said.
In addition to Bedingfield and her parents, of course, Erica credits her dog, Cody, with helping her through the darkness. He came on the scene in late 2024.
In her second season on the Epson Tour, Shepherd won the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout in Arkansas for her first professional title. In December, she headed to the final stage of LPGA Q-School for the first time, where the cold and rainy conditions must have felt somewhat familiar to all those years growing up at Dye’s Walk.
Weather shortened the 90-hole event to 72 and when Shepherd came back for the final day of play on Tuesday, she only had seven holes left to complete. A frost delay gave her even more time to think about what needed to be done. She was in tears driving to the golf course as she thought about ending the day with her LPGA card.
“On the last hole, I had like a 5-foot par putt to kind of seal the deal, and I kind of felt like that was one of the biggest putts of my life, and I just knew I had to make it,” said Shepherd, who made birdies on two of her last five holes to make the cut on the number.
“I’ve always played my best when I know what I need to do.”
Shepherd lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and plays out of Hobe Sound Golf Club with LPGA players Brooke Matthews and Lauren Hartlage. She could make her rookie debut in China at the Blue Bay LPGA on Hainan Island in March. If that doesn’t work out, she’s hoping to get into the Fortinet Founders Cup later that month in California.
A goal-oriented, cerebral player, Shepherd isn’t shy about what she wants to accomplish in the game. Since the age of 7, she’s said that she wants to win every major, and that desire hasn’t changed. This year, she has her sights set on Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year honors.
When golf became unbearably hard not too long ago, Shepherd questioned whether or not professional golf was really her path. She found herself imagining that she had her down daughter one day, and wondered which would make her prouder.
If she gave up her dream and made the courageous decision to pursue something else? Or if she stuck to her dream, trusted God and gave it everything she had?
She decided on the latter.
“I just trusted that there was a purpose in the pain,” said Shepherd. “Throughout my whole life, that’s always been the case. There’s never been pain that I haven’t been able to see a greater purpose, and I just continued to trust that.”
Indiana
Why Caitlin Clark went back to Indiana Fever locker room in season opener
Caitlin Clark explains what she learned from injury in Indiana Fever season
Caitlin Clark spoke for seven minutes on the opening day of Indiana Fever training camp. Here’s what she learned from an up-and-down season, and more.
INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark has some new strategies to help keep her loose throughout games, and one garnered a lot of attention in the Indiana Fever’s season opener against the Dallas Wings.
Saturday was Clark’s first regular season WNBA game since July 2025, when she suffered a right groin injury against the Connecticut Sun. She was limited to just 13 games last season because of various injuries that compounded and lingered throughout the season, including to her left groin, right groin, left quad, and ankle.
Clark, who finished with 20 points, five rebounds and seven assists in 30 minutes, went back to the Fever’s tunnel twice throughout the 107-104 loss, and she said postgame it was just to get her back readjusted. It’s something new for the Fever star after she missed most of last season because of various injuries, but she didn’t report any major issues with her back.
“It gets out of line pretty quickly,” Clark said. “It’s just that, getting my back put back in place a little bit, but other than that, I feel great.”
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Clark also started wearing a heat therapy pad on her back as well when she’s on the bench, but that doesn’t automatically mean an injury, either. Former Fever player Natasha Howard wore one while sitting on the bench the entire 2025 season, and she did not miss a game.
These back issues, Fever coach Stephanie White said, shouldn’t keep her out of the game.
“We wouldn’t have played her 30 minutes if she wasn’t OK,” White said.
Clark’s response postgame came after ABC’s commentators reported in-game that trainers were working on Clark’s hip flexor and groin area — the same that kept her out of most of the 2025 season. When asked about ABC’s in-game report, White said: “That would be the first time I’ve heard that.”
Fever communications staff added that they did not provide an official update to ABC on why Clark left for the tunnel, so everything reported on the broadcast in-game was speculation.
“I think it’s just part of maintaining the body,” White added of the tunnel trips. “… I mean, look, when we’re all really young, we don’t learn proper mechanics, and then it doesn’t get exposed until something happens, and we’re trying to get her body mechanically the way it needs to go. This is gonna be an ongoing thing, and not just her. We’ve had multiple players who have gone back, and we don’t have a blue tent, right, but they’re gonna go back and get it adjusted and make sure that the body’s working.”
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at chloe.peterson@indystar.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
Indiana
6 Best Towns Near Indianapolis For Retirees
The six towns below all sit within a two-hour drive of downtown Indianapolis, close enough for a quick trip into the city, far enough that housing money goes considerably further. Each one brings something specific to the trade. Frankfort pairs lower-than-state-median home values with a small-town pace and an 18-hole course right next to its top assisted-living campus. Connersville has a working heritage railroad running through downtown and a population where nearly one in five residents is already over 65. Greenville, just over the Ohio line, splits the difference between Indianapolis and Dayton and still keeps a Main Street that earns the name.
Frankfort, IN
About 40 minutes from Indianapolis, Frankfort is one of the best blends of senior resources and affordability around the capital. Rent comes in well below the average inside Indianapolis city limits per Zillow, and home values sit below the state median. Combined with healthcare at IU Health Frankfort Hospital and senior living communities like Wesley Manor, independence in retirement is realistic here.
Things happen at a slower pace, which might be just the speed a senior is looking for in a new community. The historic downtown holds shops and eateries like the locally loved Downtown Diner. For golf, Frankfort Commons Golf Course is a well-maintained 18-hole course right next to the Wesley Manor campus.
Crawfordsville, IN
Crawfordsville sits roughly 55 minutes from downtown Indianapolis and offers an affordable alternative for retirees who want some distance from the city. The proximity keeps seniors connected to a wealth of resources when they’re not using in-town options like emergency and specialty care at Franciscan Health Crawfordsville or social programming at the Crawfordsville Community Center. The cost of living here runs 10% below the national average per the Economic Research Institute, with rent and home values below the state median.
Cultural life is a big draw, much of it tied to Wabash College’s programming. The town was also the home of Lew Wallace, who wrote Ben-Hur, and residents can dig into that history at the General Lew Wallace Study & Museum. Outdoor options include Turkey Run State Park’s views and trails or Sugar Creek Nature Park’s nearly 64 acres for birdwatching.
Shelbyville, IN
Shelbyville sits about 35 minutes from downtown Indianapolis. Its centuries-old architecture is a draw, and its commitment to senior living is solid. Ashford Place Health Campus is a top-tier assisted living facility with a life enrichment team on site. Healthcare is conveniently placed via the Indianapolis proximity, with smaller clinics in town for specialty and short-term care. Home values run below the state median per Zillow.
To see the ‘Streets of Old Shelby,’ visit the Grover Center Museum and Historical Society. The free attraction has storefronts from the early 1900s, including a bank, post office, and saloon. The Historic Strand Theatre opened in 1916 and still plays films, hosts concerts, and works as a community gathering spot. A few miles away, Horseshoe Indianapolis offers horse racing and casino games for anyone wanting a livelier change of pace.
Connersville, IN
Connersville has long been a solid option for seniors, which is probably why nearly 20% of the population is over 65. The town sits about an hour and 15 minutes from Indianapolis, a reasonable drive for those commuting regularly. The cost of living offsets the distance, falling below the national average across most categories. If assisted living becomes a need, places like Hickory Creek promote independent living with various levels of assistance.
Standing here since 1813, Connersville blends history and nature for retirees ready for a slower pace. The historic downtown district has a few protected properties, including the Canal House, a museum focused on Fayette County’s history. The Whitewater Valley Railroad runs along the historic Whitewater Canal on diesel locomotives with a direct connection to Metamora. Connersville is also a gateway to Brookville Lake, with 25 miles of shoreline and access for fishing, camping, and hiking.
Greenville, OH
Crossing into Ohio, Greenville sits about an hour and forty-five minutes from Indianapolis and only about 50 minutes from Dayton. The cost of living runs below the national average, including a $650 a month median rent that comes in below what people pay in Indianapolis. Connection is another big draw, starting with Wayne HealthCare’s facilities, which now include a helipad and robotic technology for orthopedic surgeries. For assisted living, Trustwell Senior Living at Oakley Place is a top option.
Greenville works for seniors looking for an American Main Street town. Local history is on display at the Garst Museum & National Annie Oakley Center. The historic downtown has many protected facades and shops including the Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe, which has been there since 1934. Greenville also hosts the Great Darke County Fair in August, with entertainment, showcases, rides, and harness racing.
Richmond, IN
About an hour and 15 minutes from downtown Indianapolis, Richmond is one of the most cost-effective and connected options on the entire list. The general cost of living runs below the national average and below Indiana’s average. Reid Health’s campus covers emergency, cardiovascular, orthopedic, and vascular care. The town has multiple senior amenities including Springs of Richmond and the Friends Fellowship Community for retirees who need more attention as they age.
Richmond has historical depth from several angles. Wayne County’s evolution gets the full treatment at the Wayne County Historical Museum, housed in an old Quaker house from the 19th century. Richmond was also home to Gennett Records, a recording studio that produced songs for Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke, now honored at the Gennett Records Walk of Fame. The arts side runs through the Civic Hall Performing Arts Center, with a packed performance calendar from Richmond’s own professional symphony.
Towns near Indianapolis can mean greater savings for seniors without giving up the resources of the big city. Each of the six places listed brings something different, whether it’s the Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe in Greenville serving loose meat sandwiches since 1934 or riding the rails on refurbished diesel locomotives from downtown Connersville.
Indiana
Thief takes game store’s valuable Pokémon cards
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A business owner on the city’s south side on Friday morning reported a theft, saying a person stole thousands of dollars’ worth of Pokémon cards from his store.
Security footage captured the suspect breaking into Grandmaster Games and targeting valuable card collections.
The thief gained entry by breaking through a window and immediately went to a display case containing high-value cards.
The suspect bypassed six other display cases, making a direct route to the owner’s private collection, which included a One Piece card alone worth approximately $12,000. Other stolen cards are valued between $5,000 and $6,000 each.
Alex Bradshaw, owner of Grandmaster Games, said many people underestimate the value of such collectibles. “People think ‘cardboard,’ not really worth a lot. Except for these instances where a bunch of stuff gets taken. You can see the suspect trying to break into the display case, but couldn’t get it open.”
Bradshaw described the suspect’s actions inside the store. “He came over here to where our Pokémon cases are, and he smashed one of our cases that had our ungraded cards. Took the top row of those and moved on to graded cards.”
Approximately 60 Pokémon cards were stolen during the break-in, with their total value estimated to be between $10,000 and $15,000. The suspect was inside the store for only about five or six minutes.
Bradshaw thinks the suspect had prior knowledge of the store’s layout due to the targeted nature of the theft. “Because if you aren’t familiar with my store, you wouldn’t necessarily know to go to this display case because this has stuff of value.”
Grandmaster Games has been in business for about a decade, and it’s the first break-in the store has experienced.
Following the theft, Bradshaw is reconsidering how he displays his valuable collection. “I don’t know if I’m going to completely take this display down because there’s a lot of cool nostalgic stuff from the last 20 years — especially the Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! items. But the manga collection is definitely going into the safe. I realize having this stuff out makes me a target.”
With the PopCon Indy convention underway during the weekend at the downtown Indiana Convention Center, Bradshaw was concerned the stolen cards could easily be sold or concealed among other merchandise.
Despite the significant loss, Bradshaw has expressed a desire not to press charges. He attributes the theft to potential desperation and indicated he would rather offer assistance than punishment. “Nobody steals because they want to. They steal because they need to. Most of the time, people are at the end of the rope. They want something easy, which you can’t blame them for wanting something easy. If you need some help, most of us are willing to help one way or another.”
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department encouraged anyone with information regarding the theft to contact them.
Bradshaw said he simply wants his cards returned.
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