Barrington, Prospect share Mid-Suburban League crown
Barrington and Prospect thrived in soggy conditions at Tuesday’s Mid-Suburban League boys golf championship.
The Knights avenged an earlier-season conference loss by carding a team score of 308 at Mount Prospect Golf Club to defeat the Broncos by just 1 stroke.
The teams finished the day as overall league co-champs, while Greg Conrad of Barrington and Fremd’s Steven Rawls had the day’s top individual scores.
Conrad and Rawls both shot 74, but the Broncos junior bested the Vikes senior in a playoff to take medalist honors as the competitors battled an almost constant, sometimes driving rain for the entire day.
“It was merciless,” said Fremd coach Josh Teschner of the brutal conditions. “It really tested the players, and they had to grind it out. But that’s fall in Chicago for you. The weather played havoc with all of the golfers today.”
Conrad struggled on the front nine with a 40, but recovered to fire a 2-under 34 on the back nine to force the extra session with Rawls.
Then, after both players parred the first playoff hole, Conrad birdied the 434-yard, par-4 second hole to take the crown.
“I hit a 3-wood off the tee,” said the junior. “I kind of laid back — I didn’t want to push it too far left or towards the water.”
Both Conrad and Rawls hit to within 10 feet of the hole on their second shot, and Conrad sank his putt for the bird while Rawls just missed.
It was the third 18-hole victory of the year for the talented junior.
“I’m extremely proud of the way I’ve played this year,” said Conrad, “especially considering I didn’t have the greatest summer. I’ve been able to focus (during the prep season) and concentrate on helping the team in any way I can.”
Host Prospect, playing at home, was led in its title chase by sophomore Josh Johnson, who carded a 75.
“Our coach (Tom Martindale) had us fired up for today,” said Johnson. “We had a home-course advantage and we knew if we came out and played our game we could do well. We expected the rain and we came out and attacked the course.”
Ryan Kowalski (76), Neil O’Grady (78) and Tyler Yarwood (79) all made contributions for the Knights.
“The guys all played extremely well,” said Martindale. “They came out and defended their home turf.”
Fremd (311) took third place in the team competition as Tom Daddono pitched in with a 77, while more exemplary rounds on the day came from Michael Taylor of Wheeling and Elk Grove’s Ryan White, both of whom shot 75.
White, who said he’s been consistent all year, did all he could to combat the rain.
“I brought extra gloves, extra towels, I did anything I could to keep things dry — and I think it paid off,” said the junior.
Grant Manno of Hersey was outstanding with a 76, while teammate Matt Hausmann shot 78 and Palatine’s Matt Lynch and Fremd’s Steven Dodgen each finished at 79.
Barrington shot 309 to miss out on a outright title by just 1 stroke.
The Broncos were led by JP Talbot (76), Taylor Ganzer (79) and Nick Schippel (80), whose scores counted toward their second consecutive MSL title.
“We’re extremely happy to be co-champions,” said Barrington coach Mike Kallenbach. “We had already defeated Prospect once this year on their home course and we knew that it would be extremely difficult to do it again.”