Kil-ler start for BG junior
Grace Kil’s first swing of the high school girls golf season was a thing of beauty.
Starting in a shotgun start on the 16th hole at Fox Run Golf Links, Kil’s drive landed a foot away from the hole on the 237-yard layout.
The junior standout from Buffalo Grove sank the eagle putt and went on to win the individual crown of the Early Bird Tournament hosted by Conant High School.
Kil’s 2-over par 72 gave her first place ahead Barrington sophomore Heather Ciskowski (75), who was playing her first high school round of golf.
St. Charles North’s Arian Furrie (77), Fremd’s Angie Kim (78) and Barrington’s Julia Calbi (78) completed the top five.
Prospect sophomore Kiley Walsh was right behind that group with a 79 that helped spark the Knights (334) to their third straight Early Bird crown under coach Jim Hamann.
Barrington (341), Fremd (354) and Prairie Ridge (362) rounded out the top five teams on a picture perfect day in Elk Grove.
Kil’s dramatic drive was literally her first swing of the day.
“Actually I didn’t think I would play well because I wasn’t able to warm up before I started,” Kil said. “The driving range is not near the course.
“That (eagle) was a pretty cool way to start out. After that first drive, I knew I was going to be on a roll.”
She was indeed. Her only above-par holes (par 4 No. 5 and par-4 No. 10) were the result of hitting the ball into water.
“In terms of competitive rounds, it was absolutely one of her best,” said BG coach Matt Myers. “I’ve seen her have great practice rounds, but to come out in your first round of the season like this shows she was ready to go.”
Ciskowski was ready to go in her first high school meet.
A year ago, she was a Fillies freshman who qualified at No. 1 doubles for the state meet.
“I had a great time playing tennis but I really love golf and wanted to see if I could make it to state in this, too,” Ciskowski said. “My drives and chipping really helped me.”
“She was fantastic, a great start for Heather,” said Barrington coach Jodi Schoeck. “What a day for her to do that. There was no roll on the course because it was wet. It was a great start for our whole team.”
Prospect’s team was led by Walsh’s 79, followed by her sister Allison (82), Christine Garmoe (84) and Noelle Johnston (89).
“It was our first meet and a tough course,” Garmoe said. “There is a lot of water and hazards on the course. We are definitely going to pick things up the next three days.”
Kiley Walsh shot a 39-40 en route to her best high school round. She hit eight greens in regulation on the front nine and two on the her back nine.
“I was definitely hitting the greens,” she said.
“Double-digit greens is always good and Kiley did that,” said Hamann, whose three-time defending Mid-Suburban League champs will host Loyola today in a dual meet at the Mt. Prospect Golf Course.
Fremd’s third-place finish was highlighted by Kim’s two rounds of 38 and 40.
“Angie has high expectations this season,” said Vikings coach Jeremy Malinowski. “She worked real hard this summer.”
Fremd senior Madison Zyer also hit some big shots to tie Prospect’s Johnston and Prairie Ridge’s Robin Manarik for 11th.
But the biggest shot of the day came off Kil’s driver early in the morning.
“My dad said if it would been a foot longer, it would have gone into the hole,” Kil said.
It just missed being an ace for the Bison ace.