Garmoe, Lim setting the standard in MSL boys golf

Robert Garmoe of Prospect and Tim Lim of Barrington are approaching the boys golf season with a great deal of confidence.

And after all the tremendous success the two juniors achieved last season, who could blame them?

Lim led his Broncos team to a third-place Class 3A state finish at the Den in Bloomington, and posted a stellar 1-over par 73 on the final day to claim sixth place individually amongst the top golfers in Illinois.

Garmoe continued his winning ways from his freshman season - where he won the Mid-Suburban League individual JV championship - by taking the MSL varsity crown as well.

Then only sophomores, Garmoe and Lim helped boost their teams into conference co-titleists in 2014.

"Tim just keeps getting better and better," said Barrington coach Mike Kallenbach. "I've enjoyed watching him progress throughout his freshman, sophomore and now junior years. He understands that hard work leads to success."

Prospect coach Tom Martindale has the same type of respect for Garmoe.

"Robert is a pleasure to be around," said Martindale. "He's talented, dedicated, and his focus is always on how his team does. I'm impressed on how he plays the game of golf and how he represents Prospect High School in a first-class manner."

Lim modestly admits he had a "good season" in 2014.

"We put up some good numbers at state," said Lim. "I'm proud of our third place finish, but I honestly think we could have done even better. We have a lot of talented players so coming in top three wasn't that big of a surprise."

"As far as finishing top six (individually), that was quite an honor. To make all-state as a sophomore - my coach said that hadn't happened at Barrington since about 2006."

Garmoe also advanced to the state tournament after winning the Notre Dame regional tournament by shooting 69, then advancing out of sectionals.

"Winning (the MSL championship) was a little unexpected," said Garmoe, "but it gave me a great deal of confidence. I knew I was playing at a different level than I did on frosh-soph. When you're playing frosh-soph you really never know how many freshmen and sophomores are up on varsity. At the varsity (conference) meet, I knew I was playing against high-level competition.

"The state tournament turned out to be a great experience. It's also tough playing at the Den - especially when it's windy and cold."

Both players started competing at a young age, Lim at the tender age of 3 and Garmoe at 6. Both were introduced to the game by their parents, who each call their "role models."

And both realized early on that their talent could be something special.

"For me it was when I was 9, when I played in my first tournament - a nine-hole event - and finished fourth," Lim said. "I shot a 39, and I actually realized right then that this was something that I could try to make my career, and it was onward from there."

It took just a little bit longer for Garmoe.

"About seventh or eighth grade," said Garmoe. "That's when I began to get more competitive and started to play with more standard-length clubs."

Lim and Garmoe also agree that they enjoy team golf more than playing as individuals.

"High school golf is much more exciting," said Garmoe. "It's definitely more fun playing for the team. We had a great group of guys last year and we've got another great group this season."

"I love hanging out with the team," added Lim. "A lot of time when you're travelling with the six to tournaments you'll stay overnight at hotels, and it's a blast. You really get to know each other."

"Some of my teammates I hadn't even met until I got to high school, and it was nice to be able to open myself up to them, get to know them better and have them get to know me better."

Each of the juniors say it's still a little early to be focusing on where they'll wind up going to college, but Lim says he's open to the possibility of studying engineering while Garmoe wants to take a business path - while also hopefully teeing off on the links interscholastically.

And although last season made a lot of great memories, the juniors are looking to make this campaign an even more memorable one.

"We've got some guys stepping into new roles this year," said Garmoe. "We had great senior leadership last year and although I'm only a junior, I'll hope to step in and help out the younger guys when I can, especially at tournaments where they might not know what to expect."

"From what I've seen," said Lim, "everyone on our team has improved from last season. We've already won our first tournament of the year (at Wynstone), and that gave us a big boost of confidence. '

Both golfers expect their respective teams to be in the thick of things when playoff time rolls around, and coaches Kallenbach and Martindale know that with Lim and Garmoe they've each got something special on their hands.

"Tim is dedicated to the being the best player he can be," said Kallenbach.

"Robert," said Martindale," is just an outstanding young man."