Boys golf: Crystal Lake South nips Jacobs for regional crown
Crystal Lake South boys golf coach Curt Wadlington had every reason to smile.
The Gators, with a score of 335, edged Jacobs by 1 stroke to capture Tuesday's Class 3A Woodstock regional title at Bull Valley Country Club in Woodstock.
It is the Gators' first regional title in 20 years.
"A tremendous effort by the guys on a very tough day to play," said Wadlington. "With the toughness of the course and the way the wind was blowing It was a very tough day mentally but our guys did a great job of handling the conditions. I am very proud of this team. It was a great day for this program. They grinded out this regional championship."
The Gators' top golfer was individual medalist John Lishchynsky, who delivered a 78 with a 36 on the front 9 followed by a 42 on the back side.
"This is an extremely difficult course," said Lishchynsky. "The wind made the course hard to play. You really had to concentrate."
Lishchynsky was followed by Ricky Falbo (84), Will Stewart (86) and Ethan Wiggs (87).
The top 3 teams and the 10 individuals not on qualifying teams advance to the Warren sectional next Monday at Bittersweet.
Jacobs, paced by a 80 from Riley Coakley, placed second. Garrett Tighe shot a 83, Ryan Wrescz tallied an 85 and Dan Leitner carded an 88.
Cary-Grove, with a 347, garnered the final qualifying spot with a third-place finish.
Trevor Brandon paced the Trojans with an 84 while Patrick Tobin scored 85, Ben Stogis 88 and Trevor Beaugureau 90.
"I am in my fourth year as the head coach and our goal every year is to move on and qualify for sectional," said Cary-Grove coach Chris Gotsch. "It never comes easy especially on this course with the way the wind was blowing. We struggled with the conditions but the kids grinded it out and we get to play as a team in the sectionals. Jacobs and South are very solid teams ahead of us so it is a good accomplishment to finish third."
Among the Top 10 individual qualifiers, Huntley's Jack Wagner had the best score with an 82. Wagner had a 44 on the front and 38 on the back
"My putting got me through," said Wagner, a transfer from Faith Lutheran in Crystal Lake. "I didn't have any 3-putts and I played the wind very well. I am excited to qualify for the sectionals."
Wagner will be joined in the sectionals by teammates Garrett Heinke (87) and Mike Runsey (88).
Dundee-Crown, which was fourth with a score of 352 and missed qualifying as a team by 5 strokes, qualified three individuals for the sectionals. Matt McQuillen and Josh Zahara shot 85s and JP Anderson carded an 88.
Hampshire's lone qualifier was Mark Spitzer with an 83.