Classic Ivanhoe efforts from Barrington, Mundelein

The Ivanhoe Classic traditionally is replete with star power.

Some of the top boys golf teams usually compete, and this year was no exception with the likes of host Barrington, Mundelein, Stevenson and Fremd, among others, in the field.

The biggest star of the day however, might have been the venue itself, as pristine conditions and pleasant temperatures made for a picture-perfect day for golf at the Ivanhoe Club.

"Great course," said Barrington junior Sean Dolan, who helped lead the Broncos to the team championship. "Beautiful. This was my first time playing out here, so coming in blind, I was really happy with my score (a 79).

"It's tough, though - this is a place where driving accuracy is more important than hitting it far."

Vernon Hills freshman Sujay Voleti was also playing his initial round

at Ivanhoe, and he echoed Dolan's sentiments.

"The setup out here is beautiful," said Voleti. "There are some tough holes, some mediocre holes - and some holes where you really have to go after it. It's the kind of course where sometimes you have to play aggressively, and sometimes you've got to play conservatively."

The tournament saw three golfers win tri-medalist honors by firing 76's. That top group included standouts Burke Barsamian of Barrington and Ryan Magee of Mundelein.

"I was striking the ball well," said Magee, "and I was playing smart. I wasn't too aggressive, but I was aggressive when I needed to be."

Ivanhoe boasts three 9-hole links - the Marsh, Forest and Prairie layouts - and the tourney has customarily been played on the Marsh and Prairie courses.

The competitors, though, were thrown a curve ball at the last minute as storm water on the Marsh 9 forced the golfers to play the more

difficult Forest 9. But that didn't bother Magee.

"I was prepared for anything," said Magee, "because I knew there'd be some wetness out here due to the weather. I came in with a game plan, and I was going to stick with that game plan no matter what."

"The Forest is more scenic," said Broncos coach Mike Kallenbach, "but it's also more challenging."

Magee said his best hole of the day was the 17th (No. 8 on Prairie).

"I had been missing birdie putts all day," said the junior. "I finally got one to drop from 15 feet, and that was a big boost for me."

Magee, along with teammates Zach Zentz (77), Nick Chuma (77) and Tyler White (78) led the Mustangs to tie Barrington for first place as both teams shot 308.

The Broncos were awarded the team trophy on a sixth-score tiebreaker.

"That's a tough way to lose," said Mundelein coach Todd Parola, "but I thought this was a good showing today on a very difficult course against some top teams like Barrington, which finished third in state last year."

Other golfers who excelled Monday included Payton Kim of Fremd (77), Jackson Bussell of Stevenson (77), and Tyler Anderson from Carmel (78).

Justin Park of Vernon Hills fired a 78; Kyle Reynolds of Grayslake

Central shot 79; and Michael Watson of Libertyville finished at 79 along with Steve Bukielski from Schaumburg and Kamaren Sandhu and James Dvorak of Stevenson.

Completing the scoring for the champion Broncos were Cole Kempinski and Tom Calbi, who each carded 77's, and Tim Lim, who shot 78.

"It's a difficult test out here," said Kallenbach. "You've got to stay patient."

"I love this tournament because it gives the kids the opportunity to play a top-notch golf course," said Kallenbach. "I'm proud of the way they played today, and it was great to come out here and get a win."