Glenbard West turns in a 360
Glenbard West coach John Karpowicz promised a treat on the way back to school if his girls golfers could shoot a 360 or better Wednesday at the Class AA Glenbard East regional.
“I’m very proud of the young ladies,” Karpowicz said. “We had a little bit of a rough start, but they stuck with it, they came back. We talked about 360 was our goal and they shot 360. I have to take them to Portillo’s now. So I guess that’s where we’ll be going afterward.”
The Hilltoppers had plenty to celebrate, because that 360 — they hit their goal exactly — was enough to defeat second-place Wheaton Warrenville South by 3 strokes and win the regional championship at Glendale Lakes Golf Course. West Chicago was third at 368 to win the last team qualifying spot to Monday’s sectional in Rockford.
“This is our home course, so I know it pretty well,” said Glenbard West junior Claire Graham, who led her team with an 85. “I was nice and calm, easy swings. As a team I thought we played great, really consistent. It’s great to come out with the win.”
Most of the Hilltoppers had a better back nine than the front nine, led by senior Madison Chandler, who bounced back from a 53 to record a 41, leading the Hilltoppers’ charge down the home stretch.
“Her score is a little deceiving,” Karpowicz said. “She had a 12 on hole No. 2, and I’m very proud of her because she came back on hole No. 3 with a birdie. A lot of golfers, you get a 12 on a hole, you’re done, right? They emotionally have a letdown, but she didn’t do that, and that’s a testament to her.”
WW South junior Kelly Anderson had her own obstacles to overcome. Anderson was riding in her father’s car when it was hit by another car, totaling her father’s car and leaving her with a sore neck. Still, she took home medalist honors with her 75 round, edging West Chicago’s Hanna Netisingha by 3 strokes.
“I was a little concerned with how she was going to do, because she really hasn’t played since then,” WW South coach Art Tang said. “She seemed like she was OK. She played well. Seventy-five was not her best score, but I’m pretty happy with it.”
“I was pretty consistent,” added Anderson, saying she played it safe on the course. “Everything was the same throughout the day. I had a couple of bad shots, a couple of good shots, and it seemed to be pretty consistent. Nothing hurt me too badly. It was just a really fun round.”
Addison Trail senior Gia De La Cruz was third with an 84, leading the 10 girls who qualified as individuals.
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