Boys golf / Scouting Lake County

North Suburban Lake

Lake Zurich

Coach: Terry Geoghegan

Last season: 5th in NSC meet, 4th in Class 3A Buffalo Grove regional

Returning golfers: Adam Schulte (Jr.), Tanner Hughes (Sr.), Doug Murphy (Sr.), Jacob LaRue (Sr.), Eric Villadsen (Sr.)

Newcomers: Mark Noll (Jr.), John Passehl (Jr.) Alex Zuhlke (Jr.)

Season outlook: The Bears graduated three sectional qualifiers in Mike Nutter, Blake Stezskal and Austin Reitsch but look to make an impact again in the always-tough North Suburban Lake. “We lost a solid group of seniors to graduation, but the experience back from last year should help us stay very competitive,” coach Terry Geoghegan said.

Libertyville

Coach: Sean Matthews

Last season: 6th in NSC meet, 7th in Class 3A Warren regional

Returning golfers: Alex Quenan (Sr.), John Cordan (Sr.), Ryan McQuire (Sr.), Andrew Ross (Sr.), Mike Mudd (Sr.), Peter Hederson (Jr.), Jordan Hollenbeck (Jr.), Billy Knutson (So.)

Newcomers: Tyler Erlandson (Jr.)

Season outlook: The senior-heavy Wildcats got their season off to great and so did senior Alex Quenan. At the Deerfield invite last Monday, Quenan fired a 69 to earn medalist honors and lead Libertyville, which carded a 306. Junior newcomer Tyler Erlandson and senior John Cordan shot 77 and 79, respectively. Quenan earned all-NSC honors last year and followed up by qualifying for the sectional. Cordan prevailed in a playoff at the regional to secure a sectional tee time. “This group of young men are great friends on and off the course and have a very good outlook on the season,” coach Sean Matthews said. “We’d like to play well in our duals and stay within the top five at our 18-hole matches and be healthy in October for the state series.”

Mundelein

Coach: Todd Parola

Last season: 2nd in NSC meet, 2nd in Class 3A Warren regional

Returning golfers: Grant Heelan (Jr.), Brett Cigelnik (So.), Dave Kreuger (Sr.)

Newcomers: Brady Witt (Sr.), Derek Parola (So.), Chuck Mohr (Jr.), Justin Guthrie (Sr.)

Season outlook: A deep-and-talented Mustangs squad came up short in the postseason last fall, in part because they played in what coach Todd Parola called the toughest sectional in the state. Gone are Eric Nelson (Ferris State) and Sean Forsythe, but back are three established players in senior Dave Kreuger, junior Grant Heelan and sophomore Brett Cigelnik, whose 76 at sectional last year missed the state cut by 1 stroke. “We feel we got three solid guys who were contributors for us last year,” Parola said. “We’re trying to find some depth.” The newcomers include Parola’s sophomore son, Derek, seniors Justin Guthrie and Brady Witt, and junior Chuck Mohr.

Stevenson

Coach: John Rueth

Last season: 4th in NSC meet, tie for 1st in Class 3A Highland Park regional

Returning golfers: Reed Aren (Jr.), Nick Geissler (Sr.), Amaran Sandhu (Sr.)

Newcomers: Jack Spellman (Jr.), Jerry Pan (So.), Tim Kim (Jr.), Tyler Golden (Jr.), Jae Bae (Sr.)

Season outlook: The Patriots graduated nine seniors, including state-qualifier Landon Kowalski. Stevenson opened the season by shooting 317 and finishing fifth in the annual Rolling Green invite in Arlington Heights. Junior Reed Aren (74, third) and senior Nick Geissler (77, 10th) led the way. “Nick and Reed are really solid,” coach John Rueth said. “But we’re not as deep as we have been in the past. We’ve had really low turnouts the last couple of years.” Rueth hopes a couple of newcomers can make big contributions. Sophomore Jerry Pan transferred in from the southwest suburbs, while junior Jack Spellman gave up baseball to play golf, Rueth said. Spellman’s summer included rounds of 70 and 71 in a couple of IJGA tournaments.

Warren

Coach: Mike Wittes

Last season: 8th in NSC meet, 4th in Class 3A Warren regional

Returning golfers: Adam Glogovsky (Sr.), Mark Mathes (Sr.), Jimmy Turkowski (Sr.), Eric Friend (Sr.), Mike Salaman (Sr.)

Newcomers: Chris Oberto (Jr.), Casey Weir (Jr.), Kyle Kane (Jr.), George Dousmanis (Jr.), Woo-Sang Shim (Jr.)

Season outlook: Senior Adam Glogovsky earned all-conference honors and a sectional berth last fall. He leads the Blue Devils. “Looking to be consistent in all phases of our game, but especially the short game and putting,” coach Mike Wittes said. “We have a chance to be very competitive in the tough North Suburban Conference if we get the consistent play we are looking for.”

North Suburban Prairie

Antioch

Coach: Jeff Moxley

Last season: 11th in NSC meet, 5th in Class 2A Antioch regional

Returning golfers: Avery Cielek (Sr.), Kevin Boudreau (Sr.), Grant Smith (Jr.), Eric Pascual (Jr.), Michael Bain (Jr.), Austin Hackeloer (Jr.), Cody Albrecht (So.), Andrew Gagnon (So.), Bailey Moser (So.), Briley Schultz (So.), Alex Stava (So.), Kyle Thode (So.)

Newcomers: Dillon Kreutzer (Fr.), Jason Mrkonich (Fr.)

Season outlook: Sequoits coach Jeff Moxley believes his team is positioned to make big strides this season. “We are looking to place top two in the conference and place 2-3 individuals in the conference tournament,” Moxley said. “We would like to be one of top three teams in regionals and advance as a team to sectionals. Several individuals put in a lot of time over the summer. (We’re) looking for good play from seniors and juniors. We need a couple of sophomores and freshmen to step up and compete for varsity spots.”

Grant

Coach: John Eiduke

Last season: 10th in NSC meet, 9th in Class 3A Warren regional

Returning golfers: David Bouma (Sr.), Michael Carrier (Sr.), Richard Huber (Jr.), Branden Weber (Sr.)

Newcomers: Tyler Frank (Jr.), Tommy Gross (So.), Dylan Jay (Jr.), Cody Volpe (Jr.)

Season outlook: The Bulldogs graduated a handful of players, including veteran Sean Thandupurakal, but return a good share who gained varsity experience last fall. Senior Michael Carrier and junior Richard Huber shot matching 98s to lead the Bulldogs in their season-opening tournament at Deerfield Golf Club last Monday. “Hopefully our returning players and our newcomers will be able to focus in the challenges at hand, maintain that focus and take one shot at a time,” coach John Eiduke said. “If we can do that, we will make progress and have a fun season.”

Lakes

Coach: Bill Hamill

Last season: 9th in NSC meet, 1st in Class 2A Antioch regional

Returning golfers: Matt Hirsch (Sr.), Cody Franke (Sr.), Johnny O’Connor (Sr.), Jake Bathery (Jr.), Logan Edwards (Sr.), Ryan Reitmayer (Sr.)

Season outlook: The Eagles boast an experienced squad that should be highly competitive. Senior Matt Hirsch is off to a great start, firing a 36 and then a 35, both at Antioch Golf Club, in earning medalist honors in back-to-back duals. Another senior, Johnny O’Connor, opened the season with consecutive 39s. The Eagles shot 159 and then 158, defeating Grant and losing to Belvidere North.

Vernon Hills

Coach: Shawn Healey

Last season: 3rd in NSC meet, 3rd in Class 2A Vernon Hills regional

Returning golfers: Eric Swanson (Jr.), Chris Edwards (Jr.), Jake Zoll (Sr.)

Newcomers: Connor Dickman (Jr.), Jamie Roussel (Jr.), Alex Leigeber (Sr.), Russell Hutson (Jr.), Patrick Quinn (Jr.), David Quinn (Jr.), Jeremy Szwaya (Sr.)

Season outlook: Six years ago, a talented Cougars squad missed qualify for state by 1 stroke. This season’s team could boast as much talent and depth. After opening with a 321 at Deerfield Golf Club last Monday, the Cougars fired a school-record 295 in winning the Glenbard North invitational at Glendale Lakes. Three of the Cougars’ top players last season — juniors Eric Swanson and Chris Edwards, and senior Jake Zoll — led the way. Swanson and Edwards both shot 72, while Zoll (last year’s North Suburban Conference meet medalist) carded a 75. Juniors Connor Dickman (76) and Jamie Roussel (78) and senior Alex Leigeber (78) also played well. The Cougars won the NSC Prairie last year. “This is certainly as solid as we’ve been,” said coach Shawn Healey, whose team graduated state-qualifier Kris McGovern. “We have a lot of potential.”

Wauconda

Coach: Lee Oler

Last season: 12th in NSC meet, 6th in Class 2A Vernon Hills regional

Returning golfers: Luke Bernard (Sr.), Matt Liddell (Sr.), Trevor Middleton (Sr.), Jordan Motley (Sr.), Keith Zdeb (Sr.)

Newcomers: Charlie Huzsek (Jr.), Eddie Larkin (Jr.)

Season outlook: The Bulldogs have amped up their number of 18-hole tournaments the last couple of years, and it’s more of the same this season. They’re scheduled to play no fewer than four, not counting the conference and regional meets. There’s plenty of experienced golfers, led by seniors Luke Bernard, Matt Liddell and Trevor Middleton, all of whom have teed it up on varsity since their sophomore year. “We should be OK,” coach Lee Oler said. “I think we ought to be competitive.”

Fox Valley Fox

Grayslake Central

Coach: Jim Mazzetta

Last season: 3rd in Class 2A Antioch regional

Returning golfers: Cody Stover (Sr.), Colton Brunk (Sr.), Dan Choi (Jr.), Kyle Balling (Jr.), Tanner Hermes (Jr.), Tommy Hutchings (Jr.)

Newcomers: Dan Reed (Jr.), Kevin Sloan (Sr.)

Season outlook: The Rams are led by veterans Cody Stover and Colton Brunk, both of whom teed it up on the team that played downstate two years ago. The Rams had another strong season last year. “We are looking forward to a good season and hopefully building on some of last year’s success,” coach Jim Mazzetta said.

Grayslake North

Coach: Tim Hough

Last season: 4th in Class 2A Antioch regional

Returning golfers: Joey Meyer (Sr.), Christian DiBerardino (So.)

Newcomers: Ryan Kirkpatrick (Jr.), Sam Stanfel (Jr.), Anthony Harrop (Jr.), Andres Avila (Sr.), Dylan Toole (Jr.)

Season outlook: Coach Tim Hough calls his team “young and up-and-coming.” The Knights’ only varsity returnees are senior Joey Meyer and sophomore Christian DiBerardino. Matt Bergstrom, who qualified for state last year, graduated. Hough hopes senior newcomer Andres Avila can shoot some solid, consistent scores. The Knights’ junior talent includes Anthony Harrop, Ryan Kirkpatrick and Sam Stanfel.

East Suburban Catholic

Carmel Catholic

Coach: Jim Nolan

Last season: 7-1 in ESCC, 2nd in ESCC meet

Returning golfers: Tommy Schoffield (Jr.)

Season outlook: The Corsairs figure to battle St. Viator for ESCC supremacy again. In the ESCC meet last fall, the Corsairs’ Josh MacKenzie tied for first before losing to St. Viator’s Teddy Kon in a playoff.