Boys golf: Prospect's Tenuta, Barrington excel

Nick Tenuta is closing out his prep golf career in grand style.

First the Prospect senior capped off a stellar Mid-Suburban League campaign by winning MSL medalist honors by shooting 67 at the conference tourney.

Then the senior fired a 78 at the regional at Mount Prospect Golf Club to help his Knights team advance to sectionals, where he carded a 76 at Glencoe Golf Club to qualify for the Class 3A state tournament.

And now it seems, despite all those major accomplishments, Tenuta has saved the best for last.

The senior finished with a 2-under par 70 at the Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington to place second overall, just 1 stroke behind the leader, heading into Saturday's final day of the tournament.

Brendan O'Reilly of Hinsdale Central leads the individual race with a 69 at the 6,422-yard, par-72 Fox Creek layout, while the Red Devils are in first place in the team race as well as they look for a fifth consecutive state title.

"I'm not looking ahead at all," said Tenuta, despite being in the hunt to win medalist honors. "My goal all year was to make it to state, and now I'm here so that feels pretty good."

It's the first appearance for Tenuta in the state finals.

"He lost in a playoff (to advance) last season," said Knights coach Tom Martindale, "so now this year he's got the attitude of 'I'm here, lets see what happens.'

"He had a very impressive round today, but this is not something that started recently. He's been doing it since day one of the season. Nick is prepared and he expects to come out and execute his plan every time - and he did that today."

Barrington was right on track Friday as well, posting a 305 to enter day 2 in fourth place, just 17 strokes out of first.

Senior Timothy Lim led the way for the Broncos with a round of 74, a performance that included six birdies, with consecutive birds on holes 16 and 17.

Lim has finished seventh and sixth individually in the tournament the last two seasons,

"We all played well today," said Lim.

Broncos coach Mike Kallenbach agreed, saying "the guys played today like they've played all year - very consistent.

"They were great today from top to bottom. We had a goal of finishing in the top four (today), and I'm happy that we did."

Jack Markham, another of the six of seniors competing at the Den for Barrington, excelled with a 38-38-76.

Markham reiterated what a lot of golfers over the years have said - that holes 5, 6 and 7, known collectively as the 'Fox Trap,' are among the toughest they've ever played.

"You've basically got to hit the (greens) in regulation and make sure you two-putt - and if you miss, just get up and down," he said. "We're going back to the hotel tonight and get a game plan ready for tomorrow. This is such a difficult tournament, and it's not going to get any easier for us Saturday."

Tom Calbi (77) and Sean Dolan (78) contributed to the Broncos' score while senior Robert Garmoe of Prospect shot 78.

It's the third consecutive state finals appearance for Garmoe.

"Any time you make it down here, it's a good feeling," said the senior. "You know you're playing with the best players in the state."

Knights sophomore Charlie Busch, also competing as an individual for Prospect, said he appreciated having the two seniors (Tenuta and Garmoe) supporting his efforts.

"It definitely helps to have them here," said Busch. "I was a little nervous at the start - there are so many great players here. "I struggled in the beginning, but I felt like I hung in there and played the last 10 holes pretty good."