It all comes together for NSC champ Vernon Hills

The Vernon Hills boys golf team became the first squad from the North Suburban Conference's Prairie Division to claim the overall league title on Tuesday.

And the entire Cougars clan celebrated with a giant group selfie featuring both the conference and divisional hardware outside the clubhouse at Willow Glen Golf Course in Great Lakes.

Vernon Hills posted a top score of 297, 5 shots better than Lake Forest (302) and 7 ahead of Stevenson (304) in the NSC meet.

"This is exciting, to have all the guys play well on the same day," Vernon Hills coach Shawn Healey said. "We've had a number of good rounds this year, and it all came together.

"It's the first time to win it - and it's almost the last time, because the North Suburban as it is right now is this year and next year only.

"Coming in, I thought we could be top three because our guys have played so well."

Ricky Schmidt was the top Cougars' finisher with a 2-over 73 on the 6,642-yard course. He has been playing well all year, and was against consistent in breezy and cool conditions. His round included a big birdie put on a par-3, 300-yard hole.

"What really stood out was to stay away from the high numbers," Schmidt said. "I've had a couple of rounds in the 70s this year and I stayed away from the double (bogeys) - that helped me out. I had a couple of birdies and the wind was up.

"I always seem to play well in the wind, and I threw a couple of darts out there. I hit a couple of shots close and just played well."

Vernon Hills had six of its seven golfers scoring in the 70s, including Brett Favia (74), Ethan Lee (75), Stephen Levine (75), Justin Park (77) and Bo Manso (78).

"We've had a couple tournaments this year with four guys in the 70s or really close," Healey said. "So we've had all of these guys shoot in the 70s - but not at the same time. That's what so surprising, under these conditions. It was not a good day to play golf."

Kamaren Sandhu of Stevenson was top medalist, shooting a 1-over par 72 with a 36 on the front and a 36 on the back.

"I started off good making a bunch of pars," Sandhu said. "It was cold out there and I was trying to keep warm with gloves and hand-warmers. But the big thing was to be patient and make a lot of putts. I thought my chipping was real good. I was able to go up and down on a lot of holes. My short game was real good today."

Four golfers finished a shot back with 73s. Those included Schmidt of Vernon Hills, Jack Garrity and Mac Montagne both from Lake Forest.

Mundelein's Mike Magee also shot 73 and had an eagle on a par-5, 557-yard hole; he holed out from 40 yards.

"I had a good drive and second shot," Magee said. "The wind was going into me, I hit a nice knock-down 60-degree wedge that took one hop and spun back about a foot into the cup. I was surprised to see it. I have done it before, but it's always nice to do that in a tournament. It gave me a lot of momentum. I'm just happy to tough it out under those type of conditions."

Favia was 3 shots back with a 74, while Lee and Levine of Vernon Hills and Libertyville's Jacob Mueller all had 75's.

Mueller worked to beat the elements. He was able to get a chip-in for birdie on the 431-yard par-4 14th hole.

"I was behind the green and hit it just like I wanted to," Mueller said. "I landed it right on the fringe and it nicely rolled in.

"The conditions were tough, the wind had a lot of effect on it. Drives were moving left and right. It was hard to keep it in the fairway and keep the ball around the green. I had a lot of ups and downs and a few great putts for par."