Barrington thrives at Inverness

There wasn't a breath of wind Monday at Inverness Golf Club on a hot, muggy day.

"No air circulation at all," noted Palatine juniorr Matt Weltzien.

Still, it's the same story in high school boys golf. Whether it's stifling hot, freezing cold and windy (as it is every year at the state finals in Bloomington), or a steady rain - some golfers survive, while others thrive.

Put Barrington in the "thrive" column.

Posting some almost absurdly low scores for this early in the season, the Broncos shot 292 to win the team title by a whopping 19 shots over second-place St. Viator.

Barrington's Tom Calbi took medalist honors with a 2-under par 70; Burke Barsamian was second at 71 and Tim Lim fired a 72.

The Broncos' Cole Kempinski completed the scoring with a 79, while even the Broncos' fifth and sixth players - Jack Markham (84) and Sawyer Smith (82) - posted two of the better scores of the day.

"We've got some really talented players," said Barsamian. "I actually think that we could have done better today. I'm excited for this team. We're getting our mojo on right now."

St. Viator freshman Tim Crawford, who summed up the Lions roster this year as "me and five seniors," didn't let his youth get in the way at Inverness as he led the three-time state champions to the runner-up position by carding a 73.

"And a young one shall lead the way," joked St. Viator coach Jack Halpin of Crawford, who said his round really got going at the par-4 13th hole after teeing off at No. 7.

"I didn't hit a great drive," said Crawford, "but I got a good punch and sank a decently long putt for the birdie."

Crawford added that he doesn't feel any pressure being the only frosh amongst all his upperclassman teammates.

"They've all been pretty welcoming," said the freshman of his team. "Of course there have been some challenges but I feel like it's going pretty well.

"I was happy with my round today. I hit a lot of greens, drove the ball well, and avoided the 3-putts, which you've got to do on this course."

Crawford took the fifth-place medal while another frosh, Colin Robinson of host Fremd, took sixth by shooting 75.

Robinson, who had already excelled at an earlier tourney at Indian Lakes by placing second, said Inverness was his "home course" but it was a little different playing there Monday in a team event rather than as an individual.

"Usually I come out and have fun," said Robinson. "I really had to focus today."

John Carlson of St. Viator (76) finished seventh overall. Payton Kim (77) of Fremd took home the eighth -place medal, Robert Garmoe (78) of Prospect was ninth and St. Viator's Liam Warner (79) earned the 10th-place medal.

Kevin Cooke led Hersey's effort with an 83, while Steve Bukielski of Schamburg was 1 better at 82.

Weltzien was best for Palatine with an 81, while teammate Chris Fortunato excelled by shooting 84.

"I was keeping it in the fairways and hitting the greens," said Fortunato, a senior. "That's something you've got to do out here."

Fortunato added that for the Pirates to be successful this season they've got to play up to their abilities.

"We've got a lot of guys who can shoot in the 30's (in 9-hole events),"said Fortunato. "We've just got to be consistent."

Other scores of note included a 79 from James Feng of Fremd and an 83 by Viator's Matt Trimberger. But the day and the event belonged to the Broncos.

"I feel like we can win the state championship," said Barsamian. "This team is going to be legendary."

And when asked what Barrington has to do to win the crown this year, Smith had a simple answer. One program has won each of the last three Class 3A boys golf championships.

"We've got to beat Hinsdale Central," Smith said.