Prospect caps memorable season with fourth-place finish

A memorable season the best in Prospect's girls golf history came to an end at the Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth on Saturday.

And the Knights could not have been prouder of their fourth-place finish (666) behind champion New Trier (627), Homewood-Flossmoor (630) and Hinsdale Central (640) the only three teams to defeat Prospect all season.

Buffalo Grove's Grace Kil provided the Northwest suburbs with their highest individual finisher as the sophomore finished seventh with a two-day total of 151 (75-76) on the par-72 layout.

Stevenson sophomore Stephanie Miller was first with a 141 (69-72) for 36 holes.

“Honestly, it wouldn't have mattered if we finished in 12th place, said Knights coach Jim Hamann. “We are just super proud of the way we prepared all summer and season for this (state) event. We lost to three fantastic golf teams.

The Knights' top four top scorers for the two rounds were senior Rachel Lawless (162-80-82), junior Christine Garmoe (166-78-88), junior Allison Walsh (166-81-85) and freshman Noreen Caporusso (176-92-84).

Senior Emily Mick was not far behind at (180-92-88). Freshman Kiley Wash shot an 88 on Friday and junior Sarah Scaccia a 94 on Saturday.

Garmoe's 78 on Friday was the best round by a Knight.

She also had two of their best individual holes in the tourney.

On consecutive days, Garmoe fired an eagle and a birdie on the par-4 sixth hole, a slight dogleg left.

“When we come down next summer to play this course, we are going to call that “the Christine Garmoe hole, said Hamann with a laugh.

On Friday, Garmoe holed her approach shot with a 9-iron from 100 yards out, then came back Saturday and hit a wedge to within a foot and made the birdie putt.

She couldn't tell that her eagle shot went into the hole.

“It was a little uphill and I could only see the top of the flag, she said. “I felt I was pretty close. Then I saw my mom get all excited and I said, “It must have gone in the hole.'

Garmoe is one of five players returning.

“It feels great doing this (fourth place), Garmoe said. “Just knowing we all did this together, and the big thing is that we had a ton of fun this whole season.

Senior Rachel Lawless shot 80 and 82 for her team-best 162.

“It feels real good to do this, Lawless said. “I think what helps us is all the practice we do, and we focus a lot on the short game. We have a lot of fun in our practice rounds.

Hamann called it a great weekend for the Knights, who were Mid-Suburban League, regional and sectional champions.

“It's something for the girls to be very proud of, Hamann said.

“I know our school is proud and community should be, too. We had so many fans here today. I would like to thank them. It was a special turnout.

Both of the Knights' freshmen Caporusso and Kiley Walsh shot in the 80s.

“And it was really special for our seniors (Rachel Lawless, Kelly Lawless, Mick and Quinn Blackshere) to all be here, Hamann said. “I'm really going to miss them. They really brought some special things to this program and what a way to for them to go out with a fourth-place finish. I'm very proud of all four of them.

Kil made Buffalo Grove proud as she improved from 35th as a freshman to seventh this season.

“My goal was to be top three, but I'm glad I moved up, she said.

It was a scrambling round for Kil, who finished with a 76, one day after a 75.

“Oh my gosh, all my shots were right or left and I was always trying to save par, she said. “I think driving and putting were the best parts of my game most of the time. My putting saved me a lot.

Kil sank a 20-footer for a birdie on No. 14.

She said the wind played a major a role.

“Oh wow, the wind affected a lot, Kil said.

“It was either blowing in at you or a tail wind. When it was a tail wind, I hit my driver like 300 yards and sometimes it would be just short of the green or way too long.

Kil played in same group Saturday as individual champion Miller.

“I've known Stephanie since sixth grade, Kil said. “I always knew she was a good player. She was great (Saturday), hitting every ball right on greens. She has great putts and did awesome. When I play with her, I always feel like I try harder.

BG coach Matt Myers said Kil's short game around the greens Saturday was tremendous.

“She saved par five or six times, scrambling all over place, Myers said.

“But she made shots when they counted. It was one of the best finishers by a Buffalo Grove female golfer in the state tournament.

St. Viator freshman Dana Gattone (83-83-166) finished in a four-way tie for 34th, and Barrington senior Kelly Muskat (85-84-169) tied with two others for 45th.