Prospect wins sectional title

ROCKFORD -- Prospect is not a girls golf program which has been heard from much at the state level.

But the Knights continued to make their plans loud and clear Monday afternoon.

“We want to make some noise, said Prospect coach Jim Hamann. “That's been our theme this year. Make noise.

Prospect made plenty of it in the Rockford Guilford Class 2A sectional at Ingersoll Golf Course. On a picture-perfect mid-October day, it won the tournament with a 315 that was just 1 shot off the school record and 4 shots ahead of runner-up Highland Park.

The Knights' best of their three top-10 state finishes was sixth in their last team appearance in 2003. Their only other sectional title was in 2001.

“It feels so amazing, said junior Allison Walsh, who shot a 2-over-par 74 to tie for third with Crystal Lake Central Co-op freshman Lexi Harkins.

“We've worked so hard for it all year, said junior Christine Garmoe, who shot 80 on the 5,460-yard course.

Prospect also counted an 80 from senior Rachel Lawless and an 81 from freshman Noreen Caporusso. Senior Emily Mick shot 82 and freshman Kiley Walsh had 91.

And the ability to count on anyone at any time has Prospect headed to Hickory Point Golf Course in downstate Forsyth this weekend.

“One of the best qualities of this group is I have a very difficult time making the lineup, Hamann said. “All nine (girls) could have played in this tournament and they're all here. It's just a special group.

Garmoe led the led the way in the regional with a 79. On Monday it was Walsh's turn.

Walsh had 3 birdies to eclipse her previous 18-hole best of 77 and finish 4 shots behind medalist Stephanie Miller of Stevenson.

“That takes a little bit of pressure off of everybody when you know everybody can shoot well, Garmoe said.

“It's huge and it feels so good that we're all in the same area (scoring-wise), Walsh said. “It's a good kind of pressure.

That's what has the Knights thinking they have a shot at breaking the school record and coming home with an even bigger prize this weekend.

“We've been working hard and it's just starting to pay off in the postseason, Garmoe said.

“The girls knew they had to bring it today and they did, Hamann said. “I'm honored to be the one driving them down there. It's a great group and they deserve it.

St. Viator freshman Dana Gattone, Buffalo Grove sophomore Grace Kil and Barrington senior Kelly Muskat will also be making the drive to the state tourney as individual qualifiers.

Gattone, who was the East Suburban Catholic Conference co-medalist, shot 77 to finish sixth.

“Definitely not at the beginning of the year, Gattone said of thoughts of making it to state. “I didn't know if it would even come into the picture. Now that I made it I still can't believe it.

Gattone hit 14 greens in regulation and said her iron play was a big key.

“I was really nervous going into it, Gattone said. “I didn't realize how many girls were here. But coach (Mick Drewes) always says, ‘Don't get ahead of yourself.'

Kil and Muskat posed for pictures together after finishing in a tie for seventh overall. For Muskat, who led Barrington to a tie for sixth as a team, it will be her first trip to state after missing by 2 shots each of the last two years.

“A lot of scores were coming in at 79 and I was just getting ready for a playoff, said Muskat, who had an eagle en route to a front-nine 38. “I felt after the front nine I had secured a spot in the top 10.

“On the back nine I missed some putts that took me from the mid-70s to the upper-70s. That made it a little more nervewracking for the end.

But Muskat didn't let her state near-misses affect her play.

“I went out and played like it was just another tournament and that really helped, Muskat said.

Kil is making her second trip to state and her goal at the start of the year was to finish in the top three. A midseason right ankle injury saw her scores rise from the low 70s to the 80s.

“I was pretty confident at the beginning of the year … but then I was afraid I wouldn't make it, Kil said. “I'm really relieved.

Kil hopes her state experience pays off this time.

“Hopefully I'm going to shoot better than last year, Kil said. “I shot in the low 80s because I choked.

“I'm excited to go back. It's going to be fun.