White is all right as Carmel downs Notre Dame

Posted September 24, 2009 11:00 pm

By Joe Aguilar

Carmel golfer Jack Watson drives off the second tee during a high school boys golf match Thursday between Carmel and Notre Dame at Pine Meadows Golf Club in Mundelein. Gilbert R. Boucher | Staff Photographer

Billy White is playing better than all right.

And according to fellow Carmel Catholic golfer Jack Watson, White has the right stuff to play Division I golf.

"I think he has a really good game," Watson said. "I think he's awesome."

While Watson certainly is that himself, having recently made a verbal commitment to play golf for Kansas State University, White has been overlooked in the recruiting process so far.

That might change if the senior continues to play like he has the last two days. White fired a winning 1-under-par 35 Thursday at Pine Meadow Golf Club, as Carmel carded a 145 to post a convincing victory over visiting Notre Dame (166).

The Corsairs also counted Watson's 36 and matching 37s from Jimmy Spagna and Josh MacKenzie. Anthony Salerno paced Notre Dame with a 40.

The victory allowed undefeated Carmel (13-0) to finish 9-0 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. The Corsairs will host the ESCC meet at Pine Meadow next Thursday (8 a.m. shotgun).

White was coming off a season-best 3-under 33 at Flossmoor Country Club on Wednesday.

He credited being "less distracted" as a reason for his improved play this week.

"More focused," White said. "And it helps when you're making every single putt."

At 6 feet 1, White can hit the ball a long way. He says he's averaging a little under 38 for nine holes this season.

"It's really early (in the recruiting process)," said Watson, confident that some college will offer White scholarship dollars. "I know a lot of kids (from last season) who signed in February."

Against Notre Dame's knickers-wearing Dons, White hit eight greens on the front nine. He just missed the green on the par-3 eighth hole and then just missed his par putt.

"I had a horrible lie," White said. "It was right in a divot."

He birdied both the par-5 second, hitting the green in two, and the par-4 seventh, draining about a 20-foot putt.

While Watson shot even par, he wasn't exactly enamored of his play.

"I didn't hit any good shots," said Watson, whose season has included a pair of 33s. "The only things I had working for me were my driver and my putting. I putted all right."

Carmel golfer Jim Spagna putts on the fourth hole during a high school boys golf match Thursday between Carmel and Notre Dame at Pine Meadows Golf Club in Mundelein. Gilbert R. Boucher | Staff Photographer

Carmel golfer Billy White drives off the first tee Thursday as Carmel meets Notre Dame at Pine Meadows Golf Club in Mundelein. White had the low score with a 1-under 35. Gilbert R. Boucher | Staff Photographer

Carmel golfer Alex Pabich watches the path of the ball as a Notre Dame golfer putts during a high school boys golf match Thursday between Carmel and Notre Dame at Pine Meadows Golf Club in Mundelein. Gilbert R. Boucher | Staff Photographer

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