Mundelein comes of age

The Mundelein youth movement was in full force Wednesday at the North Suburban Conference boys golf tournament at the par-71 Midlane Golf Resort.

The Mustangs' three top scores came from two sophomores and a freshman. This helped Mundelein shoot 313 and hold off Stevenson (314) for second place. Led by medalist Johnny Glyman (72), Lake Forest finished in first place (308).

"Sometimes it's easier for some of the younger guys because they don't feel as much pressure," Mundelein coach Todd Parola said.

Mundelein sophomore Sean Forsythe (76) finished in solo second, while freshman Jon Henricks (77) was in a four-way tie for third. Sophomore Eric Nelson (78) and senior Andrew Adamsick (82) placed seventh and 22nd, respectively.

Conditions were tough, particularly before the weather warmed up. The two-club wind forced Forsythe to adjust his game.

"I played my driver back in my stance to keep it lower," said Forsythe, who recorded his best 18-hole varsity score. "I hit just about every fairway and that took a lot of pressure off."

Forsythe made his second and final birdie of his round on the 10th hole, which was his 17th. In a shotgun start, all the players tee off at the same time on different holes.

Forsythe said the nine-footer he drained on No. 10 was his best stroke of the day.

"That was the putt that did it for me," he said.

Parola was not surprised that Forsythe played well under challenging conditions.

"This was not an easy day to play, but he's a real grinder," Parola said. "He's a real consistent player."

Henricks made a month's worth of putts in one round. He estimated that he made nine putts of more than 8 feet.

"I was zoned in and the cup seemed to get bigger," he said. "I putted lights out."

Henricks was called up to the varsity early in the season.

"It was evident he was one of our top six guys," Parola said. "He has the right temperament for golf. He doesn't get flustered."

Nelson relied heavily on his short game to shoot 78.

"My chipping saved me a lot of times," he said.

Stevenson received solid play from Zack Kravitz (77), Tory Weidenmiller (78), Brad Loren (79) and Erik Pacewicz (80).

Libertyville (322) finished in fifth. Despite hitting just two greens in regulation, the Wildcats' Rocky Hudson had an 89.

"I had a bad day with my irons but I made up for it with my wedges," he said.

Lake Zurich's Mike Nutter also had 79.

Pacewicz, Lakes' David Riedel and Libertyville's Kurt Kapfer all shot 80s and finished in a three-way tie for 14th.