Barrington finally breaks through

For the past two years, Barrington has had great boys golf teams but was never able to qualify for state.

On Monday afternoon at the Class 3A Fremd sectional at Hilldale Golf Club in Hoffman Estates, the Broncos broke through in a big way, shooting a 313 to edge Stevenson (316) for third place and advance to Friday and Saturday’s state tournament in Bloomington.

Greg Conrad led the way with a 76 while Mike Stathakis finished with a 77.

“This year, we came in with a different mindset,” Conrad said. “I think last year, there was a lot riding on us. There were a lot of expectations that were put on us and we crumbled under the pressure a little bit.

“We worked so hard this season and to pull it out today, it really caps it off.”

Conrad double-bogeyed the first two holes and admitted nerves got the best of him but settled down to shoot 1-over par on the final 16 holes. The junior credited the depth of the team for helping him relax.

“We have guys that can come from behind and put up numbers,” Conrad said. “We never give up. It’s great to know that you have someone to rely on because all of six of us can shoot as well as everyone else.”

Barrington also got great contributions from Taylor Ganzer (79) and J.P. Talbot (81).

“I’m extremely happy for this year’s team, especially the seniors,” said Barrington coach Mike Kallenbach. “They deserve to finish their careers downstate. It does feel like a big weight has been lifted of our shoulders.”

In one of the strongest sectionals in the state, the Broncos were able to hold off Glenbrook North (318), Mundelein (321), Prospect (321) and the Patriots.

“It’s an extremely difficult sectional,” Kallenbach said. “We talked about on the bus that no matter how it’s going, you cannot give up a shot. You just have to grind and work every single shot because as you can see, it was so close so every shot counts.”

Prospect’s Josh Johnson shot a 78, which placed him in a three-way playoff for the final two individual spots along with Ryan and Trent Craig of Huntley. Johnson made par while the Craig brothers bogeyed, which meant the sophomore would be moving on to play this weekend.

“I was shaking on the tee but I calmed myself down after my tee shot,” Johnson said. “I was able to hit a fairly good second shot within 20-25 feet from hole. I kept the putt below the hole with great speed for an easy two-putt.”

Luke DeTrempe shot a 76 to qualify individually for St. Viator while teammate Tim Orlowski finished with an 82. Fremd’s Josh Rosenzweig also carded a 77 to advance.

Will Baumgartner (82) represented Palatine and Ryan Maloney shot an 80 for the sixth-place Knights.

Carmel and Lake Forest each shot 301 to tie for first place.

At Homewood-Flossmoor: Maine West junior Tom Kukec emerged from a six-way playoff to claim one of the final three state qualifying spots at Balmoral Woods Country Club in Crete. Kukec is the school’s first qualifier in coach Mike Godlewski’s 17 years with the program.

Kukec shot an 83 on the 6,500-yard, par-72 course. Matt Forloine took medalist honors with a 73 to lead New Trier to the team title.