Hersey's finding team harmony

Hersey boys golf coach Dan Caporusso said his job is sometimes akin to being the conductor of an orchestra.

"You've got to have all aspects of the game," said Caporusso. "Short game, irons, driving, putting, controlling your emotions, in harmony to be able to create beautiful music.

"We've been hitting some high notes this year, but we've still got a ways to go. We're a work in progress."

Thursday at Old Orchard Country Club in Mount Prospect, the host Huskies got a little closer to their orchestral objectives by playing a winning tune in a 9-hole dual meet victory over Elk Grove.

Hersey (4-4) defeated the Grenadiers (3-5) 178-189 in Mid-Suburban League play.

Will Fine led Hersey with a 42, a stellar score considering the cruel trick that Mother Nature played on the competitors on a chilly afternoon.

The golfers played in weather conditions at least 20 degrees cooler than what they've been accustomed to the last three summer months. In addition, they faced a multitude of tree branches and limbs knocked down by the recent severe storm.

"It was pretty rough," said Hersey senior Max Heeren. "If you hit the ball into the (downed) trees and everyone in your foursome agreed, you got free relief.

"Overall it was a little crisp - not a bad day for golf. I felt like I played OK, but as the season goes on I know we're all going to keep improving."

Elk Grove coach Mike Meyer said most of the players were prepared for the less-than-perfect climate.

"They were going back and forth between a light pullover and a jacket," said Meyer of his players, "but they're not complaining. I expected scores to be a little higher today because of the conditions, but the kids had to just come out today and see how the ball was flying."

"I think some of the younger kids were a little less prepared," Caporusso said. "They were out here in polos and shorts, while we (the coaches) had about 6 or 7 layers on."

One player who didn't let the course bother him Thursday was Grens junior Jack McEnroe, who earned medalist honors at the meet with a 41.

"He's been playing great," said Meyer. "He's done a really nice job."

McEnroe was able to get in to a couple of varsity matches as a sophomore, but now that he's playing with the upperclassmen full-time this season, he says things are a bit different than they were his soph season on JV.

"There's a litte more pressure this year," said McEnroe, "and the competition is obviously much better."

Kevin Cooke carded 45 for Hersey, while Elk Grove's Brendan De Silvia posted a 47.

De Silvia was having an excellent campaign in 2013 before breaking his wrist right before the postseason, and Meyer said that the senior would have "made sectionals without a doubt" if the injury hadn't occurred.

"I didn't pick up a club for about seven months," said De Silvia. "I was in a cast for about three months. I was finally able to start playing again over the summer, and although I still have some pain, once I get a little more practice in I'll be back to where I was last year."

Jordan Guerrero finished at 48 for the Grenadiers, while Heeren, a point guard for the Huskies basketball team, contributed to the Hersey win by shooting 44.

"Max is our leader," said Caporusso. "He's got the ability. If you look at his swing, it's PGA quality, and some of his individual shots are PGA quality.

"Once he gets his individual shots in harmony with his collective shots, he'll be one of the best players in the area."

Meadows d. Wheeling: Jimmy Ingolia earned medalist honors with a 38, just ahead of teammates Nick Rhyan and James O'Donnell (39s) as the Mustangs topped Wheeling 160-194 at Arlington Lakes.

Barrington d. BG: Tim Lim (36) and Cole Kempinski and Kevin Altenberger (37s) led the way as the visiting Broncos topped the Bison 149-168 at par-36 Buffalo Grove Golf Course. BG's low score came from Mike DeSalvo (40).

Prospect d. Lake Park: Jack Kavanagh fired a 1-under 35 to lead the Knights in a nonconference win at Indian Lakes.

Glenbrook N. d. Maine West: Kyle Roscoe (42) and Brad Uidl (43) had the low scores for Maine West, which shot 176 in a CSL North loss to the Spartans.