Boys golf: Scouting northwest regionals

BUFFALO GROVE REGIONAL

Barrington may be the cream of the crop at the Buffalo Grove Regional to be held at Buffalo Grove Golf Club. The Broncos were undefeated in the Mid-Suburban League and went on to take the MSL crown by finishing first at the conference tourney at Palatine Hills in an impressive performance. That was no surprise as Barrington won more than their share of invitationals in 2010, led by senior Marc Ackermann, who took medalist honors for the MSL tournament by firing a 73, while classmate Nick Schiavi was just 1 shot back at 74. Fremd, the MSL runner-up, will give the Broncos some tough competition as the teams try to extend their season to at least next week's Arlington Heights sectional. The Vikings lost only once in MSL play and Jackson Tworek, Zach Isoda and Brian Bodolay have been northing short of spectacular all year. The host Bison should be tough behind sensational freshman Doug Ghim, who overcame early season illness to fire a 77 at Palatine Hills last week. Rolling Meadows will be in the mix at BG and the Mustangs have been playing well in the latter part of the season. "I look to my senior leadership in Ryan Kulpins and Joey Serpico," said Mustangs coach Todd Schaap, "along with my sophomore standout Dan Wojtowicz, to make some noise." Palatine has shown flashes of excellence all season and will be at BG off a fifth-place tournament placement. "Our seniors, Alex Kehe, Cully Leverenz, Bryan Bartyzel and Joey Hillebrand, have been our backbone all year," said Pirates coach Mark Johnson." On the individual side, everyone may be chasing Scott Cahill of Jacobs, one of the best golfers in the state. Dundee-Crown, Cary-Grove and Lake Zurich round out the field.

HIGHLAND PARK REGIONAL

Three-time state champion St. Viator begins their quest for a four-peat in the Highland Park regional at Sunset Valley Golf Course, which also feeds into the Arlington Heights sectional, hosted by Viator. The Lions reclaimed the East Suburban Catholic Conference title from Carmel this year in dramatic fashion, when Ricky Gattone eagled the final hole at The Links of Carillon to push St. Viator to the crown by 1 stroke. Nick Van Stedum gave a big assist to the ESCC champions' winning round by birdieing the final hole as well, while Kenny Wienckowski and Luke DeTrempe have been solid all year for the Lions. Perennial contender Stevenson will be stout competition, as will Prospect. Ryan Kowalski (third at the MSL tourney), Jimi Poulos and Cael Keiss have been standouts for the Knights this season, who won the MSL East and scored impressive second-place finishes at three invitationals this year. "This is a very competitive regional," said Prospect coach Tom Martindale. "There will be nine very good teams battling it out for the three advancing spots." Hersey may be claiming the top spot at Highland Park if their regular-season play is any indication. The Huskies' Ryan Starkman won perhaps the state's top invitational by claiming medalist honors at the Wildcat Invitational, while Starkman and Kevin Brawley were top 10 conference finishers for a team that set a 9-hole school scoring record this year (144). "Seems like the only teams missing here will be the Ryder Cup teams," joked Hersey coach Dan Caporusso, commenting on the stellar quality of the regional squads. Wheeling boasts one of the top pressure players in the area in sophomore Jack Ferguson, who coach Mark Menich says "will have to dig a little deeper this year to advance, but he certainly has the game to do it." Michael Taylor and Zack Nauert have the ability to throw up low scores as well." The host Giants can surprise at home while Deerfield, Glenbrook South and Glenbrook North will vie for advancement.

ELSEWHERE

Maine West will face off against the likes of North Shore powerhouses Loyola and New Trier at the Wilmette Regional ... Leyden will tee off at Pine Meadows Golf Course versus host St. Patrick among others in the Chicago regional, while Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove and Conant look to move on to next week's Naperville Central sectional by qualifying out of the Addison Trail regional, hosted by the Blazers at Oak Meadows. The Saxons were the surprise of the Mid-Suburban meet, finishing fifth at Palatine Hills, while the Grenadiers have been led in 2010 by Adam Dill. Mike Stanley has been the most consistent player for the Cougars, according to coach Jerry Song. "I keep telling the boys that we could make school history if we could get in to the 320's or lower," said Song. "There are some good teams in this field, but I'm hoping we can get out as a team, but I will take an individual getting out as well."