St. Charles North's Furrie finishes 13th at state
FORSYTH - Gi Furrie is one of the more talented sophomore golfers in the state.
"I knew I had the (physical) game," the St. Charles North underclassman said. "I have been working on my mental game."
On the final day of the girls golf season at the Class AA state finals at Hickory Point Golf Course, Furrie ended her year with a level-par 36 on her inward nine to snare top-13 status with her 36-hole total of 157 on Saturday.
Furrie finished the year with a 4-over 76 after overcoming a tough day around the greens during opening-round play on Friday.
"It wasn't so much that my putting was that bad (on Friday)," Furrie said. "I couldn't hit any greens (in regulation) and had to rely on chips. I was hitting a lot of the greens today and making most of the pars."
Making their second straight appearance as a team in the state finals, the North Stars bettered their position by one slot after shaving 2 strokes off their Friday team score.
Kate Lillie had an 87, and Alina O'Donnell and Kayla Jancik rounded out the North Stars' 355 score with matching 95s.
"When you finish 11th in the state you can't feel that bad about it," St. Charles North coach Irish Whalen said. "I was very proud of the way the girls played."
The first-year coach inherited a talented crew.
"They had a great season," Whalen continued. "They won the conference (Upstate Eight River). They were undefeated in the conference (duals). They won the (Burlington Central) regional and were second at the (Conant) sectional."
Lillie, the sectional champion, overcame a double-digit number on her outward nine to place in the top 50.
"As a sophomore, (for Lillie) taking a 10 on a hole, to come back and compose herself was admirable," Whalen said.
St. Charles North's Upstate Eight rivals Jessica Yuen and Bing Singhsumalee staged yet another classic duel.
For the second straight year Yuen, a Neuqua Valley junior, denied four-year Waubonsie Valley standout Singhsumalee, 142-144, to defend her individual championship.
Hinsdale Central won its first team title in program history with a 15-shot triumph over Loyola.
Tori Guyton returned to her roots in concluding her four-year Kaneland career.
The former Decatur resident, after failing three straight years to escape the sectional, had an 88 after a first-round 91.
"My play today was much better," said Guyton. "I had a really good experience at state. (But) it was extremely disappointing that I had a 9 for my final high school hole."
Burlington Central junior Josie Kurosky finished with a 36-hole score of 175.
St. Charles East freshman Nicole Jordan was a shot better in second-round play to complete play at 177.