Boys Golf

Host's Smith nails down Larkin invitational title

Posted August 19, 2009 11:00 pm

John Radtke

Andrew Cisco of Geneva High School celebrates his tee shot on the 15th Wednesday at The Highlands of Elgin during the Larkin boys golf invitational. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Ryan Smith and Michael Holevas ended up just where they wanted to be Wednesday afternoon - taking on each other for a championship.

Smith, a senior at Larkin, bested his good friend from St. Edward on the first playoff hole to win the individual championship of the Larkin Invitational boys golf tournament at The Highlands of Elgin.

Smith and Holevas, a sophomore at St. Edward, joined Hoffman Estates' Brett Meihls on No. 13 for the playoff after each shot a 1-over par 72 on the preceding 18 holes. Smith then parred the playoff hole ater Holevas' 6-foot put for par lipped out.

Marmion proved to be the best of the 25-team field, shooting a 307 to win the title. Tim Johnson had a 75 for the Cadets while Evan Kline-Wedeen and Joel Lappin each had 77s and Roy Logan carded a 79.

Hoffman Estates finished second with a 309 and Wheaton Warrenville South was third with a 310. Jason Piepel led the Tigers with a 74.

"I kept it pretty consistent today," said Smith, who tied for 16th at state last year. "I was 3 over with three holes left and then I birdied one and parred the other two."

On the playoff hole, Smith hit the fairway and the green then hit a 30-foot putt to within 3 feet and drained that fort his par.

Holevas, meanwhile, was more than pleased with second place.

"I wouldn't want to lose to anyone but Ryan," Holevas said. "We're good friends.

"Overall I played well. This is a good confidence booster for me."

While Larkin finished 15th as a team with a 329, Royals coach Tim Jones was pleased with the play of Smith and fellow senior Scott Harm, who had a 79.

"Both of them are capable of winning a tournament at any time," Jones said.

Bartlett finished fourth, led by a 74 from senior Anthony Burdi.

"Fourth among all these schools is fine,:" said Hawks coach Tom Boyle.

The shot of the day came from Palatine junior Cully Leverenz, who fired a hole-in-one on the par-3, 145-yard 15th.

"It carried around the back and I didn't think it was going in but then it fell right in, said Leverenz, who used a 9-iron for the first hole-in-one of his career.

Many of the same teams will play today at the Geneva Invitational at Mill Creek.

Brett Meihls of Hoffman Estates High School tees off Wednesday at The Highlands of Elgin during the Larkin boys golf invitational. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Jarrett Wollenberg of Dundee-Crown High School Wednesday at The Highlands of Elgin during the Larkin boys golf invitational. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Drew Kissel of Burlington Central High School puts on his socks and shoes on the 16th fairway after hitting out of a creek Wednesday at The Highlands of Elgin during the Larkin boys golf invitational. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Drew Kissel of Burlington Central High School covers his face as Anthony Burdi of Bartlett High School points to Kissel's shot in the rough Wednesday during the Larkin invitational at The Highlands of Elgin. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Brad Ferris of Palatine High School putts on the 15th green Wednesday at The Highlands of Elgin during the Larkin boys golf invitational. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Max Gordon of Lake Park High School hits from the fringe of the 16th green Wednesday at The Highlands of Elgin during the Larkin boys golf invitational. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Andrew Cisco of Geneva High School follows his tee shot on No. 16 Wednesday at The Highlands of Elgin during the Larkin boys golf invitational. John Starks | Staff Photographer

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