Berg a surprise medalist for Wheaton Academy
David Flynn figured to be the star attraction Wednesday afternoon at Pheasant Run in St. Charles.
After all, not only is the Wheaton Academy senior the defending state champion of the boys Class 2A golf tournament, but Blake Biddle, the Warriors' other big gun who has already committed to UNLV, was out of town for a national tournament.
Jeff Berg was honored to play the spoiler. Berg overcame a pair of early-round bogeys with three consecutive birdies in the middle portion of the Warriors' dual meet against Aurora Christian, tying his career-low round - a 1-under-par 34 - to anchor the Warriors' latest triumph. Flynn and fellow senior Austin Graf posted 1-over 36s, and twin 38s from Lars Olson and CJ Urbanowski provided Wheaton Academy with its 34th straight dual-meet win, a one-sided 144-173 victory over the Eagles.
It was the Warriors' fourth win to start the year.
"We have not lost (a dual meet) since September of 2006," said Wheaton Academy coach Bob Broman. "This is the deepest team I've ever had."
Flynn was hot out of the gate, making a birdie at the par-5 third hole sandwiched around four straight pars. But consecutively missed opportunities for birdie at the fourth and fifth by Flynn proved costly when he bogeyed two of his last four holes to settle for a 36.
"Mentally, those things don't usually affect me," Flynn said. "My putting is just not there right now. I hit 23 consecutive greens (in regulation, dating to last Saturday) on this course and made only three birdies. I don't play a round of golf looking for a number."
Berg caught fire beginning on the fifth hole. The senior drained a 12-footer at the short par-4, and his next shot - at the par-3 sixth - was slightly long.
"I took a little 8-iron and cut it (left to right) in there," said Berg, who converted the 18-footer.
The Wood Dale resident then babied a wedge to within 4 feet for the last of his three consecutive birdies at seven. With all the attention on Flynn, Berg was operating with comfort and a smooth tempo.
"It's definitely nice (having the pressure off), and (Flynn) is one of my better friends," Berg said.
Bryce Renninger had a 40 to pace Aurora Christian (2-2); Ryan Heun (43), Jake Ettlebrick (45) and Keith Reinert (45) also produced counting scores.
"(The Wheaton Academy) guys know this course like the back of their hands," said Aurora Christian coach Paul Minta. "The season is still early. I feel like I have a good team."
The newly formed Suburban Christian Conference will determine its league champion solely by the conference tournament later this month at Bristol.