Cary-Grove’s Kinney, Huntley tops in FVC
The little brothers were big on the golf course Thursday.
“I beat him the majority of the time, I guess,” Jarrett Kinney, a Cary-Grove junior, said with a shrug and sheepish grin of his big brother, Justin, a senior. “I don’t mean to be mean to him.”
Trent Craig, a Huntley freshman and big kid, bested his big brother, Ryan, too.
On a wet, windy day, Jarrett Kinney’s even-par 72 — four shots better than McHenry’s Riley Lindholm — captured medalist honors in the Fox Valley Conference tournament at Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein, while Trent Craig turned in Huntley’s top score and led the Red Raiders to top team honors.
Huntley, which won the FVC Valley Division with a 5-1 record, shot a 319 to edge Jacobs (322) and claim its first conference championship. McHenry (324), Grayslake Central (326) and Fox Division champ Crystal Lake Central (326) rounded out the top five in the 13-team field.
Trent Craig fired a 78 (fifth place), shooting a 39 on each nine, while Mason Wicks (ninth) and Ryan Craig (11th) carded an 80 for Huntley. AJ Fanselow (13th) and Tyler Ross (15th) of the Red Raiders had matching 81s and also earned all-conference medals (top 25).
“It’s great,” Trent Craig said. “We put some good scores up, and we were consistent.”
Jarrett Kinney credited his midiron play. He missed, by his count, just one green.
“I hit a lot of fairways, too,” said Kinney, who’s been C-G’s No. 1 all season. “There was a lot of wind, so you had to keep the ball low. It was kind of tough judging the distance on the holes, so you had to be really careful.”
A month ago, the Kinney brothers played Pine Meadow for the first time, and big brother played big. While Jarrett described his practice round as “not too good,” Justin fired a 76 on a just-for-fun day.
“He beat me a lot this summer,” Jarrett Kinney said of his brother.
“I make him shoot better,” said Justin Kinney, grinning.
Jarrett Kinney sank birdie putts on both the front and back nines. His 72, which included a 1-under 35 on the back, was a career best. He also shot even par, an 83, at Chalet Hills, C-G’s home course.
“I wanted to win, but I was not expecting to do this well,” Jarrett Kinney said. “If I broke 80, I’d be somewhat happy.”
Justin Kinney settled for an 89 — 17 strokes behind his kid brother.
“I still beat him in the practice round, which is what counts for me,” Justin Kinney joked.
Trent Craig enjoyed, for a change, getting the best of his older brother, who’s a junior.
“Usually, he beats me,” Trent Craig said. “He actually tripled his last hole, which is kind of funny because usually he’s the one to finish strong. I’m the one who messes up, and I parred my last six holes.”
Jacobs’ Cam Bodie and Sean Kozak each fired a 77, finishing third and fourth, respectively. The runner-up Golden Eagles also got an 83 (24th) from Chris Boyle. Crystal Lake South’s Nick Robles had a 78.
Only six golfers in the 91-player field broke 80.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Justin Kinney said of his brother’s winning score. “I knew he could do that. That was pretty good considering the conditions. I thought the winner would shoot 74 or 75.”
Grayslake Central boasted four all-conference players: Tanner Hermes (80, 12th), Colton Brunk (81, 16th), Dan Reed (82, 22nd) and Cody Stover (83, 23rd).