Boys golf: Scouting Northwest

MID-SUBURBAN EASTBuffalo GroveA key returnee for the Bison this year will be senior Connor Burhop, and the rest of the BG roster will include Josh Lehrfeld, Gavin Wolf, Ian Van Wazer, Justin Harris, Ryan Oddo and John Weiss. "We're looking forward to the season," said coach Peter Duffer. "Our top events to watch for this season (in addition to the MSL schedule) will be the BG Invitational and the Hersey Invite. I expect (in conference) Propsect and Barrington to be strong again, and Hersey will be very competitive as well."

Elk GroveLong time Grens coach Mike Meyer says he has a "very strong varsity squad" this year. Senior Jack McEnroe leads the charge, and Meyer says he expects McEnroe and fellow senior Kyle Zuba will "take the team through the postseason tournament series." Also scoring for EG should be juniors Joe Leone and Blake Treder. Seniors Angelo Bastas, Charlie Brock, Phil LoBianco and Brendon Rathman, and juniors Danny Klingler and Michael Wucki will round out the roster. Last season was a good one for the Grenadiers, as they had three golfers, including McEnroe, advance to sectional play.

HerseyThe Huskies' lineup will include seniors Kevin Cooke, Dan Wolf and Mat Johnson; juniors Kevin Deans, Mark Van den Avont, John Glassman, Chris O'Toole, Erich Thuer and Peter McIlmeel; and sophomore Tommy Lumsden. "We've got a young team," said Hersey coach Dan Caporusso, who is entering his 33rd year of coaching, "but one that can shoot quality scores. The three components of hitting a golf ball are controlling the distance, trajectory, and curvature, and these kids are able to do that - although not quite as often as they'd like to. They have the ability but they have to improve their consistency."

ProspectThe Knights are coming off a typically strong season, winning the Mid-Suburban League title (co champions along with Barrington). Junior Robert Garmoe looks to be the top performer this year based on his performance of last year, where he advanced to the state tournament. Additional golfers coach Tom Martindale will count on include Nick Tenuta, Jon Riley Branch and Cole Dahlstrom.

Rolling MeadowsNew Rolling Meadows coach Joe Szabo expects his team to make a run as the Mustangs return all eight varsity players from 2014. "The kids have been focused," said Szabo. "They've set some high goals for themselves and the team and they are working very hard to achieve those goals." Dan Luhan and Jack Horan will be counted on for low scores, and the roster will include Nick Rhyan, James O'Donnell, Kyle Sheridan, Kyle Kornblum, Jimmy Ingolia and Matt O'Grady. "The great thing about these guys," said Szabo, "is that they all can and will contribute a score."

Wheeling"Our goal this season," says Wildcats coach Mark Menich, "is to improve our individual and team averages over the course of the golf season and be competitive in conference." Aiding the cause will be key returnees DJ Godlewski, Joe Ogliore, Tyler Testa, Tom Moreno and Kevin Burgess. "It would be great to see a number of these players qualify for sectionals," said the coach. Also contributing will be Max Derry, Ian Johnson and John Nicki. "DJ (Godlewski) played in numerous tournaments over the summer," added Menich, "and the extra time and work he put into his game in the off-season should serve him well in the fall. But we're going to be relying on our seniors (including Ogliore, Burgess, Nicki and Moreno) to not only provide leadership to the younger guys but also improve their individual averages."

MID-SUBURBAN WESTBarringtonThe Broncos return in fine form after a co-Mid-Suburban League championship and a third-place finish in state last year, and the pieces are in place for coach Mike Kallenbach and his squad to enjoy another spectacular season. Juniors Tim Lim and Tom Calbi, both in the top 12 individually in Bloomington in 2014, lead the charge, while other top players include proven competitors such as Burke Barsamian and Cole Kempinski.

ConantCougars coach Scott Cieplik is hoping for "repeat of last year," when Conant advanced to the sectional round in the playoffs. "Making it to sectionals is our team goal this season," said Cieplik, "and possibly having some individuals make it past sectionals. I'm looking forward to a competitive program for years to come. Teaching the game of golf correctly and making sure the team has fun is my number one goal." The key returnees for the Cougars are seniors Rob McColaugh and Chris Blaha, junior Zack Kahl and sophomore Kevin Andjulis. "We look forward to see how our guys match up this year," addec Cieplik. "Playing every team is district 211 is fun." Also contributing this year will be Nick Pope, Antonio Salerno, Tyler Mercurio, Ryan Schweinberg, Jacob Chang, Nick Jones, Riley Bottum, Ethan Kim, Alex Shin, Alex Giuliano, Joshua White, Kyle Lejman, Jarad Prill, Eric Bradley and Kobe Dunkley-Goetz.

FremdVikings coach Ryan Moreau is looking forward to a "very promising season" in 2015. Moreau is extremely impressed with senior Payton Kim, the team's captain. He fired rounds of 75 and 74 in tryouts, and was 2-under par at the early season Rolling Green Invitational before severe storms cancelled the tourney. "Our freshman, Colin Robinson," said Moreau, "shows great promise for the future as well."

Hoffman EstatesHawks coach Bob Coakley says he had a "senior-dominated" team in 2014 and is looking forward to the return of some talented players who will compete this season. The roster will include seniors Erik Kase, Jae Suh and Jack Rogers, juniors Jake Gaston, Brian Wilkes, William Woo and Conor Windels, and sophomores Alex Harrison and Alex Mayani. "The kids have worked hard in the off season to improve their ball striking," said Coakley.

PalatineThe Pirates took fourth in the Mid-Suburban League last season, and they're hoping for at least that high a finish this year. "The scores from our top six," said coach Mark Johnson, "will be very competitive with the rest of the teams in our conference." Sectional qualifier Mike Vitucci, now a senior, returns for Palatine. Also included in this year's squad will be seniors Jack Wiebe and Jason Topp, sophomore Brent Penrose, and also senior Chris Fortunato and junior Matt Weltzien, whom Johnson declares "should be our top scorers and team leaders."

SchaumburgKey competitors for the Saxons will include seniors Steve Bukielski, Nick Stare, Zeke Garcia and Tyler Kurcz, junior Miguel Go and sophomores Nick Tudor, Nzelu Maitha and Nick Calip. "We're looking forward to the season," said coach Chris Zickert. "We're returning our youthful core, and we look to be competitive in all our matches. Hopefully, we'll improve upon last year's finishes." The Saxons scored a second-place finish at last season's IHSA regional tournament.

- Bill Esbrook

WSC GOLDLeydenThe Eagles were a little disappointed with their team effort last year, but did boast a sectional qualifier in Gabe Garcia. Garcia returns to lead Leyden in his senior season, and he'll be supported by a couple of talented seniors (Jimmie Whaley, Jared Eisenmann), and coach Steve Siekierski will also count on juniors (Ryan Langer, Hunter Hankins).

CSL NORTHMaine WestThe Warriors' returnees include seniors Troy Johnson and Brad Udil, junior Kyle Roscoe and sophomore Matt Mustari. "We want to finish in the top half of our conference," said coach Mike Godlewski, "and as the season progresses get multiple players to qualify for sectionals." Maine West is looking to build on some of the success it found last fall. "Last year was a good season," said Godlewski. "We were fourth in conference, and took second at the Grant Invite. We've lost three solid golfers to graduation from last year, where we had many nice performances from multiple players."

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLICSt. ViatorLions coach Jack Halpin says his three tri-captains - John Carlson, Matt Trimberger, and Liam Warner - have "lofty goals," such as getting back to the state finals. The trio played at Bloomington as sophomores but just missed out last year. "All three have had superb summers," said Halpin, "competing in over 20 tournament rounds each." Also expected to excel will be fellow seniors Preston Drehobl, Matt Wagner, and Nick Guske. Sean O'Grady and Matt Atchsion should also see considerable playing time and regularly contribute. "We're looking to another strong season on all levels," said Halpin. "Things look really good for this season and the future."