Sizzling start for Barrington frosh Calbi

Extreme weather conditions kept Tom Calbi off the golf course Tuesday.

It’s about the only thing that’s stopped the Barrington freshman since summer began.

Stifling heat caused the cancellation of Tuesday’s Broncos-Fremd-Conant triangular at Poplar Creek, forcing the frosh to wait until Thursday for his first taste of Mid-Suburban League action.

This after excelling in two tournaments already this young season, shooting 71 and winning medalist honors in a playoff at the Woodstock Invite, and taking the third-place medal at Monday’s Biltmore Invitational.

“It’s going to fun to watch Tom this season,” said Barrington coach Mike Kallenbach. “He had an outstanding summer against some of the best high school players around.”

Indeed, Calbi competed in over 20 tourneys in the last few months, including firing a 67-72-71 to take eighth place in a national AJGA event in Indiana.

The frosh travelled as far south as Louisiana and as far east as Maryland, competing and honing his considerable skills.

And though just a freshman Calbi, who is ranked No. 4 in the country for his age and 13th in Illinois for 18 years and under, says he’s had no trouble being accepted by the Broncos upperclassmen.

“They’ve been great,” said Calbi. “Brad Powell, our (senior) captain, has kind of taken me under his wing and shown me the ropes, and the juniors and sophomores have treated me as well as they treat anyone else.”

Now Calbi, who started playing golf at the age of 6 with the encouragement of his dad, Steve, has set some goals for 2013. But instead of focusing on himself, he is concentrating on team accomplishment.

“I want us to win as many tournaments as we can, qualify for state, and win state,” Calbi said.