BG freshman Ghim third in state
The most remarkable thing is especially for Buffalo Grove fans that he has three more seasons to go.
Talented Bison freshman Doug Ghim, playing as though the “Den at Fox Creek Golf Club in Bloomington was his home course, serenely and methodically recorded a memorable Class 3A state tournament performance.
Ghim followed up Friday's 76 with a 73 Saturday, one of the best scores of the day, to finish in third place in the final individual standings with a two-day total of 149, just 1 shot behind Thomas O'Bryan of Waubonsie Valley and Nick Robles of Crystal Lake South.
O'Bryan defeated Robles in a playoff to win medalist honors, while Lake Forest won the team state championship.
“He put together a great tournament, said BG coach Pete Duffer of the frosh, “and he mild-manneredly and calmly shot a great round today.
Ghim birdied two of the last five holes to get within a whisker of competing in the playoff, including the 18th where he sank a 25-foot birdie putt to the delight of friends and fans.
“He has such a great family, added Duffer, “and they really provided him with a lot of support this weekend.
St. Viator's Ricky Gattone also had a weekend to remember. The senior, who played his first couple of seasons at Class 1A Driscoll until that school closed, stumbled a bit with a less than memorable round Saturday after Friday's stellar score of 79.
“I was happy that I had one good round, said Gattone. “The course was a little easier on Friday than it was today. The greens were a lot faster and most everybody struggled.
Gattone added that the best thing about the state tournament qualification was “having my teammates here with me, although for the first time in years, the rest of the Lions were at Fox Creek only as supporters of Gattone.
The Lions finished second in state four years ago, then won three straight state championiships, but surprisingly did not make it out of a difficult regional tournament as a team this year.
“It brought back a lot of memories, said Viator coach Jack Halpin of this year's trip to Bloomington, “but it was nice to be here to follow Ricky around.
“He loved it down here, but the course was set up so difficult today very few golfers were able to play well.
Fremd, the only local squad to advance to the state tourney, was never a factor in the team race, but the Vikings enjoyed some memorable moments.
Following up Friday's hole-in-one, Vikings sophomore Zach Isoda showed that he has a bright future by carding a two-day score of 161, good for 35th position overall.
Fremd seniors Brad Peterson and Jackson Tworek both finished their prep careers on a high note, each finishing the 36-hole tournament with scores of 164.
Schaumburg's Scott Meschnig fired 80 on Saturday en route to a tourney total of 165.