Scouting Northwest boys golf sectionals
Possibly the most dramatic day of the 2010 boys golf season is Monday, when local competitors tee off at class 3A sectional tournaments for the right to compete at next weekend's state tournament in Bloomington.
Barrington advanced as a team by winning Tuesday's Buffalo Grove regional with a stellar score of 296. Fremd moved on as well, taking runner-up position at BG behind the Broncos. Schaumburg and Conant also qualified as teams with their second- and third-place showings, respectively, at Addison Trail, giving props to the Mid-Suburban West with four advancing teams. The most notable absence from the sectional fields will be three-time defending state champion Saint Viator, which failed to get out of the challenging Highland Park regional. The Lions did qualify an individual competitor however, and Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Elk Grove, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Prospect, Leyden and Maine West will also have individuals competing for the right to move on to the “Den at Fox Creek Golf Course.
Mount Carmel
Where: Glenwoodie Golf Course
Outlook: Maine West coach Mike Godlewski is definitely focused on the 2010 season, but you can't blame him if he also has one eye to the future. That's because all three Warrior golfers who qualified for the Mt. Carmel tourney are underclassmen who will be back next year. “Last year was kind of like the cherry on top of the ice cream, said Godlewski, referring to the Warriors regional team victory in 2009, “but this year is just as exciting if not more so. It feels great. Juniors Tim Burchard (83) and Kyle O'Connell (84) and sophomore Tom Kukec (85) all posted qualifying scores at the Loyola regional. “Tim and Kyle are similar players, said Godlewski. “Kyle is extremely long off the tee and puts himself in great position, while Tim has a nice all around game. They're both outstanding. Godlewski also had praise for sophomore Kukec. “He's been one of our top two players all season, said the coach. “He's one of the best golfers Maine West has ever seen and he's only going to continue to get better. The Warriors just missed out on a fourth qualifier, Phil Romano, who finished one stroke back. Leyden's Kenny Patronski qualified from the St. Patrick regional.
St. Viator
Where: Old Orchard Country Club
Outlook: Barrington and Fremd put themselves in prime position for a state tournament trip with their sparkling performances at BG. The Broncos have been a tournament-winning machine all season and seniors Nick Schiavi (70 at BG, 2nd best at the regional) and Marc Ackermann, juniors John Talbot, Mike Stathakis and Taylor Ganzer, along with sophomore Greg Conrad, give Barrington fans a lot to be excited about. The Vikings, who finished just behind the undefeated Broncos in the well-respected MSL, boast senior Brian Bodolay, who fired 72 at the BG regional. Senior Brad Beutler is back from early season injury and playing at a high level, while seniors Jackson Tworek and Brad Peterson, sophomore Zach Isoda and freshman Josh Rosenzweig are all capable of putting up low scores. “We've got the most difficult sectional in the state, said Fremd coach Josh Teschner, “so in order to get to state we've got to play our best. We've had a great week of work and I feel that as a team we are ready to put up a very, very low number. Buffalo Grove freshman Doug Ghim has already wowed teammates and coaches with his extraordinary talent, and he'll be at Old Orchard competing as an individual after winning the BG regional with a 69. Sophomore Dan Wojtowicz of Meadows qualified at Buffalo Grove golf course as well, as did Palatine seniors Bryan Bartyzel and Alex Kehe. Ricky Gattone of Saint Viator shot 75 at the ridiculously difficult Highland Park regional to advance to the sectional and Ryan Kowalski and Cael Kiess of Prospect also posted qualifying scores at HP. Wheeling junior Michael Taylor moved on as well.
Naperville Central
Where: The Links of Carillon, Plainfield
Outlook: Chris Zickert, head golf coach and a math and computer science teacher at Schaumburg, knows about numbers and likes the low ones that his golfers have been putting up in the latter stages of the 2010 season. Schaumburg continued its surprise surge by claiming runnerup status at the Addison Trail regional. Seniors Jared Goyke, Anthony Gualano and Scott Meschnig, and juniors Nick Brandt and Matt Kozlowski all played critical parats for a program that hadn't advanced to a sectional in five years. “Nick has been our leader all year, said Zickert, “and Scott has been right there with him. Matt has been steady, and Anthony and Jared have made big contributions all season. When one of our top guys has an off day, one of the others always seems to step up. Conant will also be a factor at Naperville behind seniors Mike Stanley, Brent Gatz, Anthony Altosino and Brian Gebhardt and juniors Josh Yoo and Nishil Patel. Elk Grove's Adam Dill continued his season-long excellent play with a qualifying score at AT, and teammate Ryan White will be trying for a state berth as well.