VH's Groody sees the light

On a sun-splashed September Tuesday, Vernon Hills senior Kirsten Groody had to splash her way out of a greenside bunker at No. 9 in a dual match against Lakes.

Groody had not hit a sand shot since last week because of the persistent rain. And the last bunker shot she hit in competition did not leave her with a lot of confidence.

"It took me two, maybe three shots to get out of the trap," she said. "All I was thinking about (today) was getting it out in one shot and anywhere on the green."

Groody did that and then some.

Her long sand shot checked up 6-feet under the hole and she drained the par putt for a 42, good for medalist honors at Vernon Hills Golf Course. The Cougars (216) held off Lakes (220) on a day where the wet conditions made low scores difficult.

Groody's positive attitude helped her salvage par. Her tee shot on the short par-4 ninth came to rest parallel to the flag but next to a tree. The best she could do was pitch it into the sand trap and try to make a 4 the hard way.

"At least I had a swing it," Groody said about her second shot.

Her short game let her down early but it helped her on the closing holes. In addition to her sand save, she twice two-putted from the fringe.

"My dad always says a bad putt is better than a good chip," she said. "I'm really comfortable with my putting stroke."

Lakes junior Abbie Horan (44) was the only other player to break 50. Horan, who has already won two tournaments, never found her rhythm.

There was no quibbling, though, with the way she played No. 9. Her long tee shot came up just short of the green and her chip shot rolled about 8-feet past the hole. She poured in the downhill tester for birdie.

"I ended on a good note," Horan said. "That's what I'll think about."

Her teammate Emily Mason also finished in positive fashion. Mason's approach from about 50 yards came to rest two feet from the stick.

"That was a really good shot," Horan said. "She's improved a lot since last year."

Vernon Hills improved to 6-2 in dual matches.

"Several of the girls made a huge commitment over the summer and came into the season having played a lot of golf," coach Sean Crevier said.

Vernon Hills' only losses are to Stevenson and Carmel.

"We've done a lot better this year," Groody said. "We're right in the mix with the top teams."