Upward and onward for Hersey's James

Hersey senior Chris James decided he wanted to be a golfer at the age of three, when he and his dad, Lou, watched Greg Norman win a tournament on television.

So Lou took Chris miniature golfing - but that didn't quite cut the mustard.

The next week they watched another television tournament and Chris told his dad, "I want to go there (a real golf course)."

Lou complied, and father and son were off to a pitch-and-putt course.

From there on, it's been onward and upward for James on the course, with the definitive high point coming Monday in the Glenbrook South sectional at Glenview Park Golf Club.

James shot his best round and the best score at any of Monday's sectional tournaments, a 2-under par 68 to become tournament medalist and qualify for this weekend's Class 3A IHSA state boys golf tournament in Bloomington.

"It was very exciting when it happened," James said. "And now every time I think about it, something new comes to my attention that blows my mind."

Hersey shot a school-record 296 at Glenview but fell short of advancing as St. Viator and New Trier finished just ahead of the Huskies.

But James won't be the only Hersey competitor, as classmate Johannes Seemann shot 72 to also qualify.

"I may have the jitters, that's for sure," said James of teeing off against the top golfers in the state. "I usually get nervous before any athletic event. My goal will be to have a good time, enjoy the experience and hopefully play well in the process."

Fremd junior Sean Jones shot a 71 at Glenview to qualify for the state meet for the second straight year.

And he knows the course well (the Den at Fox Creek), having played it at least 10 times.

Jones, who was the Mid-Suburban League tournament medalist this year, battled the predictably unpredictable October weather in Bloomington last year as a sophomore to shoot a sparkling two-day total of 151 and finish tied for eighth.

"There aren't many trees at the Den," Jones said. "So it's pretty exposed to the wind. But it's nothing I haven't seen before. I'm pretty confident going in. I feel I've improved a lot this season. My iron game is stronger, my swing is more consistent and my putting improved greatly near the end of the season."

Jones will battle not only against the course at Fox Creek but also local rivals such as St. Viator's Danny Stringfellow and Barrington's Ross Frankenberg.

"I don't think about that," Jones said. "When I'm on the course, I'm focusing on my next shot - that's all I can do. If those guys beat me, more power to them.

"If I can improve on last year's finish, I'll consider this tournament a success."