Boys golf: Rolling Meadows, Palatine finally enjoy Arlington Lakes

Rolling Meadows took advantage of a break in the rainy weather Tuesday to score a couple of Mid-Suburban League boys golf victories.

The host Mustangs, as a matter of fact, may have discovered a new secret weapon in their recently renovated home course as they defeated Elk Grove and Palatine in MSL play.

Arlington Lakes Golf Club, which Meadows calls home, had been closed for 13 months for renovations forcing the Mustangs to play all of their matches last year on the road - and scramble for places to practice.

The Club reopened in July of this year, and Meadows coach Joseph Szabo and his team couldn't be happier.

"It's spectacular," said Szabo of Arlington Lakes. "They did everything they needed to do out here. It's a public course, and they made it into a great public course."

Arlington Lakes employee Phil Wendell said that the course has been completely renovated, including revamping the layout, redoing the greens and eliminating some unnecessary sand traps.

"With all the improvements," said Wendell, "it's a real nice golf course."

Meadows put up a score of 149 Tuesday to defeat the Pirates (153) and the Grenadiers (169), with Palatine taking one win on the day.

Grens coach Mike Meyer said he and his team were happy to finally be in the midst of playing competitive golf.

"Due to weather and scheduling, we haven't had too many events so far this year," said Meyer.

Senior Jimmy Ingolia led the way for Meadows with a 35, while Elk Grove's Joe Leone, a sectional qualifier in 2015, was best for Elk Grove with a 39.

Like many of the golfers, Leone was ecstatic about the break in the weather, as several dark clouds rolled over the course during play but the golfers actually finished up in bright sunshine.

"It's been tough," said Leone, a senior. "You basically play every day over the summer in camps and IJGA (Illinois Junior Golf Assocation) events, and now we've gotten some long breaks (once the high school season has started). This is only our third competitive match."

"I think Joe's going to make it at least back to sectionals this season," added Meyer. "He's got the focus to have a real good year."

Palatine junior Max Myszka made his varsity debut an extremely succesful one. Playing with the upperclassmen for the first time in a Mid-Suburban match, Myszka fired a 34 to take medalist honors.

Myszka said that keeping his emotions under control was the key to his stellar performance.

"I kept my temper in check," said the junior. "Sometimes I get frustrated, and it costs me a few strokes."

Myszka, who chipped one in from the bunker on hole 3 for a birdie, added that it was the mental game that led him to the meet's best score.

"Today I just thought about the next shot," said Myszka.

Chris Cho, a freshman, carded a 39 for Meadows (3-1). And said he's not rattled at all about being a frosh on a senior-driven team.

"It's not too different from the tournaments I've played in," said Cho of competing on varsity. "In IJGA, I've not only played against young kids, but also older kids who were already committed to college."

The freshman was among the many golfers who game a thumps-up to the newly renovated course.

"It's not too far off from the way it used to be," said Cho, who said he often golfed at Arlington Lakes as an elementary school student. "They did make the front 9 tougher than the back 9, but I like it that way."

The golfers played the front 9 Tuesday.

"Today wasn't too bad of a day," the frosh added about his 39. "I had a slow sart, and I made a couple of stupid errors on 5 and 7, but I came back and played solid."

Dan Luhan (37), Kyle Kornblum (38), and Matt O'Grady (39), all seniors, also counted scores for the victorious Mustangs.

Blake Treder shot 40 for Elk Grove, while Brent Penrose and TJ May of Palatine fired 40's as well.

Senior Matt Weltzien of the Pirates, another 2015 sectional qualifier, finished at 39. He says advancing in the state tourney series last season may have given him a boost going in to this campaign.

"It was a great experience," said Weltzien of his sectional appearance in Rockford. "I didn't score as well as I wanted to, but I got the feel of what it's like playing against the best golfers in the state. I'm looking forward to getting back to sectionals this year and maybe making it to state."

Weltzien said the Pirates, like most area teams, have seen their schedule waylaid by the inclement conditions which have forced many meet cancellations. But he also said that he has to stay on an even keel for leadership reasons.

"I take it all in stride," said Weltzien, "Being a senior, I feel like it's my responsibility to be a role model for the younger kids."