Hampshire’s Ellett satisfied with 2nd at state
The Ellett Era has officially come to an end at Hampshire High School.
But oh what an ending it was.
Whip-Purs’ senior Connie Ellett fired a 1-over par 73 Saturday to finish in second place in the IHSA Class AA state girls golf tournament at Hickory Point in Decatur.
“Nothing to be ashamed of,” Ellett said. “First would have been better but I’m happy with second.”
Ellett lost out to Prospect senior Allison Walsh by 1 shot. Walsh’s 2-day total of 149 led the Knights to the state team championship with a 643. New Trier was second with a 650.
Walsh was playing in the group just ahead of Ellett and double-bogeyd 18 but Ellett was on the tee and didn’t know she only needed a birdie to force a playoff. She then left her birdie putt 2 inches short, tapped in for par and collected the second-place medal.
Crystal Lake Central sophomore Lexi Harkins, who beat Ellett in a 3-hole playoff for the Fox Valley Conference championship, finished third at 151.
“I 3-putted on 17,” Ellett said. “Wish I wouldn’t have done that. But I was nice and relaxed all day. It’s my senior year and I had nothing to lose. It was awesome to finish in second place.”
Connie’s coach and mom, Sue, couldn’t have been prouder of her daughter again on Saturday.
“To be state runner-up is a phenomenal accomplishment on Connie’s part,” said Sue Ellett, who will now step down from coaching so she can watch Connie and her sister Taylor in their golf careers at Northern Illinois University.
“All the hard work she put in this summer paid off. She made the commitment to get better at her short game and (Connie’s dad) Doug spent a lot of time with her and challenged her. She likes to win and be in competitive situations and she was real comfortable all day. She did a great job of walking slow and not getting out of rhythm. Anytime she had a little hiccup she answered right away. She’s come a long way since she was 14 and I think her best golf is still ahead of her.”
While Sue Ellett would have treasured the state championship as much as Connie, she also paid Prospect’s Walsh her just due.
“It’s always nice to win,” Sue Ellett said. “But hat’s off to Allison Walsh. She’s a great golfer who came out today and had a solid par round.
“We’re just very pleased and proud of Connie. It was a great weekend and a great accomplishment for her.”