Extra score helps WW South
Wheaton Warrenville South was in a considerable hole when the first four scores were counted in its dual match against Waubonsie Valley Wednesday afternoon in Naperville.
But fortunately for the Tigers, the DuPage Valley Conference has eight-man teams for its boys golf matches.
WW South senior Joe Donzelli, playing in the final foursome, fired a level-par 36 at Springbrook Golf Course to match the low round of the afternoon.
Will Rouse had a 2-over 38 from the third foursome to further the Tigers' cause, and WW South prevailed 152-155 over the Warriors under idyllic conditions.
Across town at Naperbrook, Neuqua Valley (5-0 in DVC play) earned a critical 145-147 victory over fellow unbeaten Naperville North (4-1) to cement its league leadership.
WW South improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in league play with its come-from-behind win; Waubonsie Valley fell to 3-2 overall and in the conference.
"I kept it steady and didn't get ahead of myself," Donzelli said of his even-par round. "I had no clue (about the team score). I just had to play my round."
WW South senior twins Sean and Brian McCaffrey had rounds of 38 and 40 to round out the Tigers' collective scorecard.
"We're excited with how we finished the round today," WW South coach Jimmy Selleck said. "It's a spectacular win. Joe Donazelli comes in with an even-par round, on this course. It's a tough course, the greens were cut (tight and) rolling. The pins were tough. Playing was not easy out there."
The defending conference champion Tigers came into the dual meet full of momentum after duplicating its program-record 3-under 141 against Naperville Central Tuesday at Naperbrook.
But the twin twosomes from Waubonsie Valley to start the match gave the conference newcomers a decided early edge.
Senior Conrad Esch, the Warriors' No. 2 man, was a 3-putt away from playing the first seven holes in level par.
Esch finished with a 2-over 38, but the Warriors' third- and fourth-rated players, Jake Wright and Ryan Pawlowski, decisively defeated their WW South playing companions with a 36 and 39, respectively.
"I believe we all could have done better," said Wright, who, like Donzelli, had a single birdie to negate his lone miscue in authoring a level-par 36. "I know, myself, I left two putts out there. We would have liked to have seen something a little lower."
The Tigers, though, reversed the early scoring trend with the last two foursomes.
Waubonsie Valley could manage only a team-best 42 - from three players - from its final four players to account for its last counting score.
"Unfortunately, we didn't have that fourth score," Waubonsie Valley coach Eric Flodberg said. "Having to count that 42 is the bottom line (to the difference)."