For the record, Mundelein’s Krueger came close
David Krueger’s knowledge and flirtation with the Mundelein golf team’s school record of 34 for nine holes prompted the obvious question to coach Todd Parola.
“Who holds the school mark?”When Parola answered, #147;Sean Forsythe,#148; Grant Heelan, who usually steps up on the golf course, spoke up.
Heelan, the Mustangs#146; smooth-swinging junior lefty, noted that he, too, has fired a 34 #8212; twice, in fact, including earlier this season against Libertyville at Pine Meadow. Heelan#146;s other 34 was against Warren at Bittersweet last year.
Forgive Parola.
Fact is, nine golfers in the history of Mundelein#146;s program have shot a 34. Besides Heelan, alumni Forsythe and Kyle Spahr have done it twice.
Krueger nearly became the 10th Mustang to shoot a 34.
Instead, he settled for a season-best and 1-under 35 on Steeple Chase Golf Club#146;s front nine Tuesday, earning medalist honors and leading host Mundelein (151) to a North Suburban Lake Division win over Zion-Benton (157).
#147;It was an interesting day,#148; Krueger said. #147;I had two really bad bogeys.#148;
Krueger offset his bogeys with 3 birdies, including a chip-in from 15 feet with his 58-degree wedge on the par-5 fourth.
#147;That was pretty much luck,#148; Krueger said. #147;One bounce and it went straight in the hole.#148;
Krueger birdied the par-4 second after his 8-iron from 150 yards out came to rest 10 feet from the cup. On the par-3 seventh, he hit the green with a 7-iron and sank his putt from 15 feet.
On the same course Monday against Niles West and Niles North, Krueger carded a 42, and Mundelein didn#146;t count his score.
#147;I hit the ball a lot better (Tuesday),#148; said Krueger, who#146;s shot a 33 in practice at Steeple Chase. #147;And I putted better. ... It felt good to come back like that.#148;
Mundelein also counted Heelan#146;s 37, Brady Witt#146;s 38 and Chuck Mohr#146;s 41.
Zion-Benton was paced by runners-up Keith Torola and Justin Schwab, each of whom shot an even-par 36.
Heelan walked to the ninth green at even par and needed only to 2-putt for a 36. But he missed a 4-footer and settled for bogey.
#147;That was probably the most disappointing part of the day,#148; said Heelan, Mundelein#146;s 5-foot-6, 130-pound ace, who#146;s been his team#146;s most consistent player this season. #147;It probably ruined my round, but 37 isn#146;t too bad.#148;
Heelan was his usual steady self.
#147;I had a couple of wedge shots that I couldn#146;t stick to 10 feet or closer,#148; Heelan said. #147;That#146;s what I struggled with. Everything else was pretty solid. My drives were right down the middle.#148;