McCaffrey twins send WW South to top of DVC
The same three teams as a year ago came into the DuPage Valley Conference boys golf tournament on Thursday with realistic chances of claiming the overall title.
But defending champion Wheaton North and Naperville North did not have a response to Wheaton Warrenville South senior twins Sean and Brian McCaffrey.
Sean McCaffrey fired the lone under-par round of the day at Bartlett Hills Golf Course, and Brian McCaffrey matched the 74 of teammate Ryan Forrest.
The Tigers' top-ranked player, Will Kelly, posted a sixth-place 75 as WW South dominated the championship with a 293.
Wheaton North edged Naperville North 309-310 for runner-up; Naperville Central, Lake Park and Glenbard North rounded out the six-team field in Bartlett.
"One of our lofty goals this year was to win the DVC," WW South coach Jimmy Selleck said. "We knew this day was coming. The guys did an outstanding job with respect to competing."
The Tigers collectively blitzed Bartlett Hills' front nine as the four counting players' outward-nines were played in 2-under 138.
WW South, Wheaton North and Naperville North entered the tournament in a first-place tie after 6-1 regular-season dual-meet records.
But it was all WW South in the ultimate tiebreaker.
Sean McCaffrey had all facets of his game working during his 1-under 70 medalist performance.
"I drove the ball well," he said. "My chipping was really good. I made a lot of good putts today, a lot of par saves. I got up and down when it really counted."
Brian McCaffrey said there was extra motivation for the five returning members of the Tigers' state team from last fall.
"We had to get the win today," Brian McCaffrey said. "Our seniors hadn't won conference before."
Lake Park senior John Duggan finished runner-up with his 1-over 72.
"I have been playing well lately but struggling on the greens," Duggan said. "I played pretty well. I can't be too mad."
Naperville Central senior Scott Dunsire was the lone player to record a 73 to place third.
"I am ready for the postseason," said Dunsire, who overcame a triple bogey on the back nine to finish 2-over. "I made some good putts today. I have been playing well all year."
Wheaton North was led by Matt Winkelmann and Charlie Vasbinder, seventh and eighth with their 76s.
"The outcome doesn't surprise me, but the margin of victory does a little," Wheaton North coach Mike Pribaz said. "(WW South) outplayed us all."
Griffin Brown and Tyler Vincent snared the final top-10 spots to lead Naperville North.
Joe Nordyke paced Glenbard North with an 81.