Scouting Fox Valley boys golf regionals
Note: The top three teams in each boys regional will advance to the sectional level (team ties for third place will be broken). The top 10 individuals not on qualifying teams will also advance (there will be no ties for 10th; those individuals tied for 10th in regulation will return to the course for a playoff for the 10th spot).
Class 1A
St. Edward regional
Where: Elgin Country Club
Local teams: Elgin Academy, St. Edward, Westminster Christian
Sectional advancing to: Westminster Christian at Golf Club of Ill., Algonquin (Monday)
Class 2A
Belvidere North regional
Where: Timber Pointe, Poplar Grove
Local teams: Burlington Central, Hampshire
Sectional advancing to: Freeport at Park Hills (Monday)
Class 3A
Woodstock regional
Where: Plumb Tree National, Harvard
Local teams: Huntley, Crystal Lake South
Sectional advancing to: St. Viator at Old Orchard, Mt. Prospect (Monday)
Buffalo Grove regional
Where: Buffalo Grove Golf Club
When: Today
Local teams: Jacobs, Dundee-Crown, Cary-Grove
Sectional advancing to: St. Viator at Old Orchard, Mt. Prospect (Monday)
Larkin regional
Where: Bartlett Hills
Local teams: Bartlett, Elgin, Larkin, South Elgin, Streamwood
Sectional advancing to: Naperville Central at Naperbrook in Plainfield (Monday)
Regional outlook: In Class 1A, St. Edward's Eric Winters is fresh off winning the 36-hole Suburban Christian Conference championship. Winters and fellow Green Wave standout Michael Holevas give the team two tournament-tested scorers. "We're excited about the regional," said Eric Winters. "Five or six of us on the team play the Elgin Country Club regularly. We figure to have a home-course advantage. We know all of the little tricks and oddities on the course. The only way to learn them is to play the course. Now we have to go out and do it." St. Edward coach Dr. Greg Winters says according to averages submitted by the regional entrants, the Green Wave would sit third behind North Shore Country Day and Chicago Latin School. "Our one and two players have been consistent for us," said Greg Winters. "Our year kind of hinges on those 3 through 6 scores. If the 3 through 6 players do well, we should score well. We've played well in tournaments. They have the capability of putting it all together." Said Eric Winters: This group is definitely capable. We're looking to make a run." In Class 3A, the Woodstock regional features a Crystal Lake South club that should be in contention for one of the three sectional-qualifying spots. Gators coach Curt Wadlington points out his team finished behind fellow regional entrant Harlem by 1 stroke on two different occasions at Whisper Creek and Oak Grove. "We've done everything we can to put ourselves into a good position," said Wadlington. "We have a chance to advance as a team. The field is pretty level. The Fox Valley Conference teams are all capable of competing. We'll see who comes out on top." South is led by Nick Robles (who is averaging 70), Mike DiGrazia and Rob Lemke, who finished third at the recent FVC tournament. The Buffalo Grove regional features Jacobs, which is led by FVC individual champion Scott Cahill. "I feel great about where my game is at right now," said Cahill, who shot a 73 to win the FVC crown, "especially where I'm at with my mental game. My confidence is at a good level. I feel very calm and relaxed." Cahill feels his short game has been a key factor in his arsenal of late. "It's probably been my putting," he said. "When that's good, it's easier for everything to come together." Cahill also notes rest has played a significant role in his success. "I've been feeling good the whole season," he added. "I've been resting. I played a long summer schedule. I've been relaxing more and that's helped me on the course." Cary-Grove is led by junior Justin Kinney, sophomore Jarrett Kinney and freshman Dan DePrey. At Bartlett Hills, Bartlett has enjoyed consistent play from the trio of sophomore Ryan Wolfe, junior Ryan Starks and senior Mike Marciniak. "We've got three kids that have produced consistently for us. We need to get that fourth score. We're going to need four good scores." South Elgin is capable of scoring low as a team, as evidenced by a 307 at the Elgin invitational. The Storm is led by senior Ryan Pondel and junior Xavier Owens. "If we shoot 307 like we did at the Elgin invitational, we might have a shot to get the whole team out," said South Elgin coach Jay Bartholomew. "I think St. Charles East is the best, followed by St. Charles North, Geneva and Bartlett and we should be right there with those three depending on who will show up and play." Larkin coach Tim Jones notes one advantage for many of the teams is the Bartlett Hills course itself. "A lot of the teams have played here before, so that is an advantage for them," said Jones, who feels a large number of teams will be in contention for those top three qualifying positions.