Prospect claims regional title at Deerfield
Prospect girls golf coach Jim Hamann has said all along his Knights could not be any better prepared for the postseason.
No one at the Deerfield Golf Course for Wednesday's Class 2A Deerfield regional would argue.
The Knights put up a 328 score, led by junior Christine Garmoe's 79, to take home their first regional title since 2005.
Highland Park (333) and Stevenson (336) were second and third to also qualify for the Rockford Guilford sectional on Monday.
“Winning the regional was our main goal, said Garmoe, whose round included 10 pars and a birdie on the fourth hole in which she a hit a wedge to within seven feet of the cup. “This is exciting. We knew we could do it. We have talent and have been playing well all season.
Completing the Knights' scoring were senior Emily Mick (82), junior Allison Walsh (82) and senior Rachel Lawless (85).
Garmoe's 79 tied her for second with Buffalo Grove sophomore Grace Kil in the individual competition behind top medalist Stephanie Miller (Stevenson), who won her second straight regional crown with 2-over par 74.
Kil was also second to Miller (72 to 71) in last year's Warren regional at Bittersweet Golf Course in Gurnee.
“I just stayed calm and tried not to overthink things, Kil said of her round on Wednesday. “I tried to relax and shoot the best I could.
Kil registered 11 pars and 7 bogeys.
“Usually my approach shots are the best part of my game but I was having trouble with them this round, Kil added.
Other area qualifiers were Hersey senior Megan Rogowski (82), St. Viator freshman Dana Gattone (83), Fremd sophomore Angie Kim (90), Hersey junior Nikki Gierman (90), Fremd senior Lauren DeBellis (93), St. Viator junior Molly McMahon (94) and Buffalo Grove freshman Amber Guiao (96), who advanced by winning a playoff against two other players.
Guiao hit a 3-foot putt to birdie the extra hole and become the second straight freshman for BG to advance to a sectional following in the footsteps of Kil last year.
“Those two players bode well for the future of our program, said BG coach Matt Myers, who like Hersey coach Bob Murphy and Fremd coach Christine Vlaming will have two golfers playing in Rockford.
Prospect's championship came in a strong sectional.
“It's one of the toughest, Hamann said. “There was some very tough competition as you can see by the scores.
“All our kids followed the game plan we had for the course. You have to hit a lot of placement shots and tee off with a lot of different clubs. The girls did a nice job following the game plan.
Mick fired a 2-over 38 on the back nine (44 on the front) for her score of 82, which tied her teammate Allison Walsh, Highland Park's Jane Seder and Rogowski for fourth place.
“I told Emily it was very senior-like for her to come back with a 38, Hamann said. “I'm very proud of her.
“Allison was solid all day. She's been really hitting the ball well the last few weeks and she is ready to go very low.
“Rachel (Lawless) really fought for us. She knew she was struggling and fought very hard for us which also is very senior-like. I have a lot of confidence in Rachel and that is why she has played in every tournament.
Maine South regional: Elk Grove senior and Mid-Suburban League champ Rachel Mia Kaim (79) and sophomore Katie DeMuelenaere (98) gave Grenadiers coach Kyle Burritt two golfers in next Monday's Homewood-Flossmoor Class 2A sectional.Junior Elizabeth Szokol shot a 75 on the Mt. Prospect Golf Course to lead New Trier to the championship (316) while Loyola (327) and Glenbrook North (350) also qualified for the sectional.Elk Grove (424) finished sixth and Maine West (440) ninth among the 11 teams.Just a week ago at Chevy Chase Golf Course in Wheeling, Kaim became the first Elk Grove female golfer to win a MSL title.Kaim was the first individual qualifier Wednesday.#8220;The course was really difficult today, Kaim said. #8220;The fairways were tight, and the greens were pretty fast. The short game was definitely a large part of the game today. 17022349Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.comStevensons Stephanie Miller putts during the Deerfield Girls Golf Regional. 30401885Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.comProspects Christine Garmoe drives during the Deerfield Girls Golf Regional. 14282571Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.comProspects Allison Walsh drives at the Deerfield Girls Golf Regional. 25991709Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.comSt. Viators Dana Gattone tees off at the Deerfield Girls Golf Regional. 7861019Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.comSt. Viators Amy Stringfellow drives at the Deerfield Girls Golf Regional.