Geneva takes Elgin title

After a lackluster week, the Geneva girls golf team took to the links to work on its game over the weekend.

The practice paid off Monday as the Vikings got career-low rounds from seniors Kendall McCleary (39) and Lindsey Fansler (39) to take first at the Elgin Country Club tournament hosted by South Elgin.

The Vikings (161), who lost by a stroke to St. Charles North last season, took a 14-stroke victory over Hampshire (175). The Bartlett/South Elgin/Streamwood Co-op (178) continued its success with a third-place finish, while the North Stars (179) were fourth, St. Edward (191) was fifth.

Hampshire sophomore Taylor Ellett shot a season-low 36 to claim first-place individual honors at the par-35 course. Although they tied with a 39, McCleary finished second with a built-in tiebreaker and Fansler was third. Geneva's Kim Connor (41) was fifth, while Hampshire freshman Connie Ellett (40) took fourth.

"The was a little it of rebound," Geneva coach Eric Hatczel said. "They came to play. This is Lindsay's first time hitting that low. (Fansler and McClery) had a good day."

The duo had shot in the mid- to upper 40s last week before working on drives and putting over the weekend.

The short-game work paid off big.

"I didn't use my driver the whole round," Fanser said. "I was putting pretty well."

Fanser shot a 47 last season, while this was McClery's first trip to Elgin Country Club. Geneva also counted a 42 from Kelsey Kale.

"I was hitting my driver hard and steady," McClery said. "It's fun when everyone is doing well. Everyone was shooting in the low 40s."

Ellett also got a huge boost from her driver. The sophomore improved from sixth place last year to medalist.

"We were looking to come in here and shoot a lot better," she said. "Our team did really well."

Besides the Ellett sisters, Hampshire got solid rounds from Tina Tuminaro (50) and Grace Jakubowski (51).

"This is a great field to compete against," said Hampshire coach Sue Ellett. "We wanted to see how we stack up. We had a great round top to bottom. Taylor was confident."

Carly Schneider (42), Andrea Mastro, Kaitlyn Boehne (44) and Samantha Coyne (48) all shot in the 40s for the Bartlett/South Elgin/Streamwood co-op.

Defending champion St. Charles North got 45s from Kim Barr and Miranda Fencl and a 47 from Marissa Fencl.

Morgan Harvey (48) led Jacobs (201, seventh place). St. Edward got a 44 from Erin Schneider and a 46 from Danielle Coffman, returning from a hand injury.

Taylor Colby (43) led Burlington Central (199, sixth place).