Boys golf: Scouting the Fox Valley
Bartlett HawksCoach: Jim Dinkheller
2014 finish: 6-5, 2-5 UEC
Top golfers: Senior Drake Cambra, juniors Brett Grabarek, Alex Salatino, sophomore Nathan Gorniak.
Outlook: Bartlett has no returning varsity letter winners this season and only 1 senior on the squad in the form of Cambra. Gorniak, Grabarek and Salatino are averaging between 40-42 strokes for nine. “We are extremely young,” said Dinkheller. “We are looking to gain a lot of experience as the season goes along. Our conference always is tough so experience should come quickly. As a team we are looking to keep a positive mental outlook. If we play smart and make a few putts, we can hopefully hold our own. We are looking forward to a very positive season and a bright future.”
Burlington Central RocketsCoach: Thomas Davies
2014 finish: 10-2 in duals; Second place Big Northern Conference
Top golfers: Junior Joe Sherman
Key newcomers: Juniors Jordan Souvigny, Anthony Divito, Zach Power
Outlook: Central is fresh off a 2014 finish where it took fourth in sectionals and qualified two individuals for the state meet. Sherman earned all-conference honors last year, qualified for state and averages 39.8 for nine holes. “We are young and hungry,” said Davies. “We have four new members to our varsity team who have been vying for playing time the past few seasons when we were exceptionally deep. Now it's finally their time to play. My season goal established for the team is improved course management. We are working on playing smarter in order to minimize poor holes, thus salvaging bogey.” Davies added the mental part of the game also will be a key focus. “Golf is a very humble game,” he said. “Leaving the previous hole behind and tackling the next hole with the best mindset still is a struggle. We adapt the following mental approach: 'Can't predict the future, can't change the past, but we can control our present state of mind for this shot.' ” Davies is expecting more big things from Sherman. “Joe is only a junior and hasn't finished a season without a trip Downstate yet,” he said. “He is the consummate professional. He has a great personality and a well-polished golf game to complement his sound mental approach to each round.” Souvigny is another player looking to make some noise for the Rockets. “Jordan has all the talent,” the coach said. “If he can maintain a nice balance with his approach to each match — not too up or down on any one hole — then he could find himself experiencing a truly memorable season.” Davies is more concerned about the finished product toward the end of the season. “We're looking to have fun and gain experience,” he said. “I'm not too worried about how we're playing right now. If we are going to maximize our season's success then we need to set some personal goals, team goals and hit our synergy near the end of the season: conference tournament, regionals and sectionals.” Central will have plenty of playing opportunities early-on with four tournament salted before its first dual match. “That should provide a fine litmus test for us at the beginning of the season,” said Davies.
Cary-Grove TrojansCoach: Chris Gotsch
2014 finish: 5-4 duals; fourth place Fox Valley Conference; third place regional
Top returning golfers: Seniors Kyle Irlbacker, Mitch Whitehouse, Keaton May, junior Zach Beaugureau
Outlook: Irlbacker was an all-conference pick last year who finished third in regional play. May also earned all-FVC honors in 2014. “We have a great group of upperclassmen who will help the younger players develop their games,” said Gotsch. “Our younger players need to take the next step and fill the void from our graduating seniors. I think we will start out slow and we will be playing our best golf come tournament time.” Irlbacker also was active on the MAJGT and IJGA circuits this summer.
Crystal Lake South GatorsCoach: Curt Wadlington
2014 finish: 2-8 duals, ninth place Fox Valley Conference
Top returning golfers: Seniors Ryan Benoit, Aaron Hetherington, junior NateZacher
Key newcomers: Freshmen Casey Hunter, Griffin Coakley
Outlook: Zacher earned all-FVC honors as a sophomore and along with Benoit and Hetherington averages in the 42-44 range for nine holes. “We have a solid senior core and will look to use them to mentor our freshmen to have a successful season,” said Wadlington. The coach added consistency will be paramount throughout the season. “We will need to be consistent to be competitive every day,” he said. “We have all the potential to get better. We will need to be consistent and all come together as a team to be competitive.” Benoit and Zacher are two of South's top scoring options. “Ryan is poised to have a breakout senior season,” said Wadlington. “He worked hard over the summer and is confident and relaxed. Nate had a strong finish last year and we will look to him to start strong and be a good model for our underclassmen.”
Dundee-Crown ChargersCoach: Bob Sweeney
Top returning golfers: Seniors Josh Fougerousse, Andrew Livengood, Brad Bartelt, Russell Bergeron, sophomore JP Anderson
Outlook: Fougerousse was a sectional qualifier last year for the Chargers, while sophomore Anderson will battle with Fougerousse for the No. 1 position, 12th-year coach Sweeney noted. The coach added that with five returning golfers from last year, expectations for lower individual and team scores will be raised.
Elgin MaroonsCoach: Mike Sitter
Top golfers: Seniors Brandon Stork, Jackson Sitter, Ben Moscow, Will Welch, juniors JJ Mayer, Hayden Gibson, sophomore JC Fortmann.
Outlook: The Maroons will be led by returning letter winner Stork, who scored in several conference meets last season and “has a chance to compete at the top of the conference this season,” said Sitter. Jackson Sitter and Moscow also are returning letter winners. Elgin has 20 golfers on the roster this season. “We will have a full junior varsity team,” said Sitter. “The future looks bright for Elgin golf.”
Elgin Academy HilltoppersCoach: Bill Pearson
2014 finish: Fourth place Independent School League
Top returning golfers: Seniors Frankie Bisconti, Elliott Gorman, junior Henry Stone
Key newcomer: Freshman Neha Karna
Outlook: At the recent Larkin invitational, Bisconti shot a 75 for 18 holes, while Elliott and Henry both were in the 80s. Bisconti also shot a 79 at the preseason ISL tournament at Cog Hill. “We will be comparable to last year,” said Pearson. “We have some seasoned individuals and some guys coming off the junior varsity who have the potential to be good. They work hard and practice well. They will do well. I think they will improve dramatically before the season is over.” Karna, a girl golfer, will play with the boys' team. She shot a 97 from the boys' tees in her first varsity action. “She represented herself well,” said Pearson. “She absolutely has potential. She is going to be good.”
Hampshire Whip-PursCoach: Jeff Howe
2014 finish: 6-5 in duals, 3-1 in conference; won Class 2A regional title
Top returning golfers: Senior Nick Swierczynski, juniors Myles Miller, Marcos Toledo, Clayton Staszewski
Key newcomers: Junior Collin McQuillen, freshmen Jordan Hagevold, Craig Bracke, Mark Spitzer
Huntley Red RaidersCoach: Jim Rolando
2014 finish: 4-1 FVC Valley, FVC Valley and FVC tournament champions
Top returning golfers: Seniors Jake Grabner, Danny Spoeth
Key newcomers: Senior Nick Fanselow, juniors Geoff Miller, Nick Laughlin, Mitch Los, sophomore Youssef Abaddi, freshman Michael Runsey
Outlook: Grabner and Spoeth were sectional qualifiers and all-FVC selections in 2014. Fanselow is back after missing his junior year due to injury. “We have three strong and experienced seniors,” said Rolando. “Jake and Danny both had great seasons as juniors and Nick had a great sophomore season. They grew up in this program being around the older guys who helped make Huntley boys' golf relevant over the past five years.” Rolando said depth will be a key factor moving forward. “Right now we don't have too much (depth),” he said. “We still are trying to find out which of the younger guys can step up and play in the Top 7 at the varsity level. We also are a little inexperienced after the seniors so it probably will take a few tournaments and matches for some guys to come into their games.” Rolando feels his team has the potential to again go toe-to-toe in the FVC. “I think we could be a surprise team in the Valley,” he said. “If things fall right for us on a given day I think we can compete with any of the teams in our conference but in general I'd say we are probably a few strokes behind the top few teams in the FVC.”
Harvest Christian Academy Lions
Coach: Jeff Boldog
2014 finish: 2-3 in NAC duals
Top returning golfers: Senior Chad Jakel, junior Drew Fugiel
Key newcomers: Sophomore Joe Pepper
Outlook: The Lions return all-conference performers in Jakel and Fugiel. Boldog likes the team's chemistry heading into the season. “We have great team unity with this group,” he said. “Everyone works hard at improving their game and is dedicated to putting in the extra work to get better.” The team is hard at work on its short game. “We need to get better with the short game, really focusing on being more consistent from 100 yards and in, and eliminating wasted shots,” said Boldog. The coach is looking for Jakel and Fugiel to take the next step. “They both finished strong last year and I expect them to see big improvements this year,” he said. “All their hard work and dedication is going to pay big dividends this season.” Boldog feels the team can be in that top tier of the NAC. “We really feel we can finish near the top of the conference this year,” he said. “We expect to improve our record from last year. We have added some new golfers this year who should help us give a more solid core and push our guys to get better.”
Jacobs Golden EaglesCoach: Gary Conrad
2014 finish: 5-2 in duals; third place Fox Valley Conference; regional champions
Top returning golfers: Seniors Justin Lenzini, Billy Walker, Cooper Slack, sophomore Riley Coakley.
Key newcomers: Freshman Garrett Tighe
Outlook: Jacobs, which won a team regional title last year, returns state qualifier Lenzini, who took 25th in Class 3A. Lenzini, Walker and Slack were all-FVC selections in 2014. “This year we have a pretty deep team with three of our top players being seniors,” said Conrad. “We also have some younger players who have really stepped their games up over the summer. We have lots of experience on the team. Justin has played a lot of golf this summer after a great season last year. Being a returning state qualifier and finishing in the Top 25 last year was a great accomplishment. We are expecting big things out of him this year. In addition, Billy and Cooper have put a ton of time in and look good.” Conrad said finding a good rhythm during competitive play will be key. “Getting a good streak going at the right time is always something every team needs to do, especially at the end of the year,” he said. Instead of only sending individuals, Conrad would like see the whole team make it to state. “Our No. 1 goal is to get Downstate as a team. We have the potential to get there, but it is all about firing on all cylinders at the right time. With many tournaments on the schedule, we will be able to test our guys and see what is possible.”
Larkin RoyalsCoach: Tim Jones
Top returning golfers: Seniors Zach Edgar, sophomores Cy Kerber, Noah Zuniga
Key newcomers: Senior Seth Morford, freshmen Max Anderson, Romero Golden-Garcia.
Outlook: Kerber showed promise last year, qualifying for the sectional. He shot an 85 at the Larkin invitational earlier this week. Edgar, Anderson and Zuniga also have made progress. “Zach got better and so did Noah,” said Jones. “Max Anderson has some potential.” Morford, a senior, is in his first season in the golf program.
St. Edward Green WaveCoach: Greg Winters
2014 finish: 8-3 in duals, second place Metro Suburban Conference
Top golfers: Seniors Michael Mattas, Jason Allen, Aaron Worf, Noah Enright, Karl Bibler, junior Steve Poremba
Outlook: Mattas won MSC and regional titles and was named the conference player of the year. He finished 25th in the state as a junior and won two tournaments this summer. Allen, the team's best newcomer last year, qualified for sectionals, while Worf tied for the last spot to advance to sectionals but lost in a playoff. Winters expects Poremba, Enright and Bibler to battle for the fourth spot. “We're very strong at the first and second positions, especially No. 1,” said Winters. “The key for us will be for Michael to play well and for us to have that fourth score in the mid-80s and under.” Winters is emphasizing the mental approach to the game. “Even if you are having a bad day you need to stay positive and turn it around,” he said. Winters said one of the team's goals is to finish in the Top 2 in the conference again, but stressed the main prize is a trip Downstate as a team. “Moving back down to Class 1A will help this team,” he said. “We did well in Class 2A but consistently fell 1-4 strokes short of moving the team on in the postseason.”
South Elgin StormCoach: Gordon Brown
2014 finish: Third place Upstate Eight Valley
Top returning golfers: Nate Reeser, Danny Smith
Outlook: Brown noted South Elgin lost two conference matches, qualified a golfer for sectionals and missed state by several shots last year. “This year with seven returning varsity players we should do well,” the coach said.
Streamwood SabresCoach: Nick Vassolo
Top returning golfers: Senior Chase Pantle, Charles Lotts, Nate Kuzela
Outlook: Pantle, the team captain, is poised to have another strong season. “This year we hope to build on the successes of Chase,” said Vassolo. “He has returned this year after a very productive offseason determined to qualify for the state meet. From the looks of his first practices this season, he will make a good go of it.” Vassolo said the Sabres will face no shortage of tough competition in the Upstate Eight Conference. “The team always is hopeful to be competitive in matches, but we struggle sometimes overcoming great talent in our conference,” he said. “Teams such as St. Charles East and North, Bartlett, Batavia and Geneva all have tremendous teams.”
Westminster Christian WarriorsCoach: John Wedell
2014 finish: 9-5 duals, 6-0 NAC regular-season and conference tournament champions
Top returning golfers: Senior Dillon Rejman, juniors Carter King and KJ Kane.
Outlook: The Warriors are in revamping mode after a large graduation from a team that won the conference regular-season and tournament titles for a third year in a row. “We will start the rebuilding process this season after losing six players to graduation and another four players that transferred,” said Wedell. Rejman will lead the way for Westminster. “We will be anchored by Dillon who will compete for conference medalist and a spot in the state tournament,” said Wedell.