Fremd's Schmidt fits in quality BG Invite field
As of Friday morning, Fremd freshman Nathan Schmidt wasn't sure if he'd be playing on the varsity team at all this season.
That afternoon, the coaches informed him that he'd be teeing it up at Saturday's Bison Invitational against top-flight teams such as New Trier, Loyola and Lake Forest.
"I was 100 percent excited to play," said Schmidt, "and a little nervous."
The freshman acquitted himself quite well, firing an 80 in the meet at Buffalo Grove Golf Course.
The Trevians and Ramblers went 1-2 in the team race with outstanding scores of 287 and 288, while Andrew Huber of New Trier shot a 3-under 69 to take medalist honors.
Schmidt fought off his nerves to hit what he called a "decent drive" on his first hole, the 10th, then followed that up on the par-4, 401-yard 11th with a birdie.
"I buried a downhill slider (putt) from 25 feet," said Schmidt. "That gave me some confidence."
"I guess you could say I was playing above my level, but it was great to come out here and have this competitive experience against these teams."
Bison junior Justin Harris, for one, was looking forward to the invasion of some of the state's top programs on the 6,694-yard layout.
"I was excited," said Harris. "This was a unique experience. It was nice to get a taste of playing some teams we don't usually play.
"I was in a foursome with some kids from Homewood-Flossmoor, Elk Grove and Libertyville, and it was a nice group. It was just so hot out here today - the greens were really fast."
TJ Constertina had the best round of the day for the hosts, an 86, while a 74 from Jake Labow of Stevenson led the Patriots to an overall 306.
Colin Robinson led Fremd with a 77, and Jack McEnroe of Elk Grove matched his Mid-Suburban League rival by carding 77.
Payton Kim and James Feng of the Vikings each fired an 80 as well.
Tommy Lumsden was best for Hersey with a 79, while a 76 from Brian Favia and 78s by Taner Fulton and Justin Park led Vernon Hills to team score of 309.
Despite shooting one of the better rounds of the tournament, Park said there was work to do.
"I'm disappointed," said Park. "I couldn't make a putt today - I couldn't make any birdie putts at all. I was striking the ball good, but that didn't correspond to my putting.
"I played the first couple of holes well and then it was all downhill from there. I can't really blame the course - a course is a course, and that didn't even come in to play. I've just got to look at the mistakes I made today and adjust, especially my putting."