Nice finishes for Kukec, DeTrempe
It was the kind of charge that Arnie and his Army would have appreciated.
Playing in the second round of the Class 3A boys state golf tournament at the always challenging Palmer-Signature Den course in Bloomington, Maine West junior Tom Kukec played his first 9 holes in 1-over 37, one of the top front-nine rounds of the day.
The stellar score propelled Kukec to 12th place overall at one point during the meet, and not even a less-than-spectacular back nine could diminish the acheivement.
“Tom played some fantastic golf this weekend,” said Warriors coach Mike Godlewski of the first Maine West state qualifier in 19 years. “He felt a little sour after his performance on the back nine, but like I told him, he finished ahead of a lot of great golfers today. When he looks back on this, he’s not going to remember that he had some tough luck at the end.”
Kukec suffered through 2 triple bogeys in his final nine holes to finish tied for 44th invidually, but there was no such dropoff for St. Viator junior Luke DeTrempe.
DeTrempe, the lone qualifier this year for the three-time state champions, turned the Fox Creek Course into his own personal Lions Den by carding a two-day total of 76-83-159, good for a tie for 25th.
Barrington’s J.P. Talbot (158) finished the tourney in a deadlock for the 21st overall position, but Saturday was bittersweet for the Broncos senior.
Talbot begin the day in second place after firing a 73 Friday. Then three bogeys and a double on his first four holes knocked him out of contention — but the senior wasn’t complaining.
“I’m a little disappointed,” said Talbot, “but I feel privileged to be in the position I’m in today. To be down here with my teammates is just a great feeling.
“I feel like my putter let me down somewhat, but the wind was so bad out here you even had to account for it while you were lining up the break on your putts. But this has been an unbelievable experience and one of the best feelings I’ve ever had on a golf course. To be here with your six closest friends, who’ve you spent the last three months working hard together with sometimes late into the evening, and have it culminate on the state’s biggest stage with everyone watching you — it doesn’t get any better than this.”
Talbot and his Barrington teammates, as well as repeat state champs Lake Forest (team score of 612, 9 strokes better than runner-up Lyons), had to contend with a vicious wind both tourney days.
“It was merciless,” said Fremd coach Josh Teschner. “It just punished the golfers on their bad shots — and even on their good shots.”
Vikings sophomore Josh Rosenzweig was one of the few who handled the conditions well Saturday. Rosenzweig followed up a disappointing first day by firing a 78 Saturday (including three birdies), and only a quadruple-bogey on the 16th hole prevented his round from being one of the day’s best.
“Josh was awesome today,” said Teschner. “He really controlled the flight of his ball well and he putted great.”
Rosenzweig said that the howling winds and rough conditions gave him something to work on in the off-season heading into next season.
“I’ve got to learn how to play the knock-down shots and keep the ball from getting up into the wind,” said the sophomore. “I’m going to be working on that all winter.”
Joe Willis from the champion Scouts won the individual title as well by carding a 73 Saturday to go along with Friday’s 71. The senior’s even-par 144 was 5 shots better than second-place medalist Charlie Netzel of Lyons.
Barrington finished eighth in the team race, with senior Mike Stathakis ending the two-day event at 164 while teammate Greg Conrad, a junior, finished at 165.
Nick Shippel counted the Broncos’ best score Saturday as his 81 included two birdies, and Barrington coach Mike Kallenbach said the state tourney experience will be one the players will cherish.
Seniors Taylor Ganzer and Jack Bogaerts each made contributions for the Broncos in Bloomington.
“We didn’t play as well as we would have liked,” said Kallenbach, “but this is a great group of guys who did well in spite of the tough conditions.”