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Mike Nutter didn't care if continuing to wear his winter hat looked a little nutty as the temperatures climbed toward 70 on Tuesday.
The Lake Zurich senior knew it would be nuts to mess the karma of a round where he was on pace to shoot below 70 as he made the turn at the Class 3A Buffalo Grove boys golf regional tournament.
And the hat will be a permanent fixture on Nutter after he shot a 1-under-par 71 to finish in third place. Buffalo Grove freshman Doug Ghim shot 69 to earn medalist honors and Nick Schiavi shot 70 to lead team champion Barrington.
“A couple of weeks ago I started wearing it, Nutter said. “I'm pretty superstitious and I try to keep things the same throughout the round.
Nutter's teammates Blake Stezskal and Austin Reitsch shot 81s and were among the top 10 individuals not on the top three qualifying teams to advance to next Monday's St. Viator sectional at Old Orchard Country Club. Lake Zurich finished fourth (320) behind Barrington (296), Fremd (309) and Jacobs (309).
Nutter shot 34 on the front nine and finished his round with 3 birdies. He only missed two greens in regulation on the 6,658-yard course.
“I hit the ball great and my front could have been a lot lower, Nutter said. “I'm happy with 71. You don't have to win these things. You just have to get through.
“I was in control pretty much and if needed to make a putt I felt I could run it in, Nutter said.
Nutter won a regional title last year but missed qualifying for state by 1 shot. But he hopes improved play and more experience will help him make it this time.
And Nutter will stick with the wintry headgear even if the weather stays somewhat summer-like.
“It will be on, Nutter said with a smile about Monday's sectional.
Barrington's regional title was its 15th as Schiavi just missed a 50-foot putt on the 18th hole to tie Ghim and force a playoff. Greg Conrad tied for sixth with a 74, Marc Ackermann tied for eighth at 75 and J.P. Talbot was 10th at 77.