Clutch effort from St. Viator's Carlson at Inverness
The St. Viator boys golf team has enjoyed great success in recent years.
The Lions won consecutive state titles from 2007-09 and boasted the state individual Class 3A medalist in 2008 (Joey Carlson) and 2009 (Dan Stringfellow).
Still, with all of the past accomplishments, Monday's performance by Viator junior John Carlson - Joey's cousin, by the way - had to be one of the best ever.
Amongst top flight competition such as New Trier, Barrington, Prospect and Glenbrook North at the Inverness Invitational, Carlson fired a 2-under 70 to win medalist honors on a picture-perfect day.
Burke Barsamian of Barrington won the fourth-place medal, while New Trier (306) took home the team title with Barrington (312) close behind in second.
"John had it totally together today," said Lions coach Jack Halpin. "This was his day. Obviously, he's reaching his potential."
Carlson, whose round included five birdies, said that the "momentum started to go his way" when he birdied the 18th hole after starting the day on hole No. 8.
"I was able to make a 15-foot par putt after being plugged in the bunker," the junior said of the 18th. "That got me going."
The previous two holes hadn't been the best for Carlson, but he said he at that point he was able to talk himself into a stellar performance.
"I just kept telling myself, 'Don't worry, you're going to get hot,' " said Carlson.
Carlson added that going up against some of the state's best such as the Trevians, Broncos, Prospect and others gave him some extra added incentive.
"Those are some great teams, " said Carlson. "You always want to come out and beat these guys.
"This (Inverness) is my home course - I play here almost every day during the summer - but even though it might give me an advantage, you've still got to come out and play well.
"Knowing this course the way I do, it makes it easier to know where to miss - but saying it and getting it done are two different things."
Barsamian, also a junior, led the Broncos with a 76.
"I felt like it was a constant battle today," said Barsamian. "This is a tough course and the greens here are never easy, plus they were being aerated today and that made it extra tough."
Barsmanian added that he and his Mid-Suburban League defending champion Broncos are focused on postseason success this season. After a stellar run in 2013, Barrington just missed out on a state advancement.
"I think we're more focused this year," said the junior. "We're confident we're going to make it downstate. We've just got to relax and play the way we know how to play."
Grant Gavin and TJ Swan of the Knights both posted 77's to claim the fifth and sixth-place medals respectively.
Barrington's Tim Lim claimed the eighth-place medal with a 77, while teammates Joey Batliner (79) and Tom Calbi (80) contributed to the Broncos' runner-up finish.
Liam Warner shot 78 to help propel Viator to third position in the team race, while Jack Kavanagh of Prospect (10th-place medal) also fired a 78.
Payton Kim led host Fremd with an 80, Schaumburg's Brandon Tudor shot 80, Hersey's Dan Wolf scored 82, Palatine's Dan Coleman finished at 82 while Matt Trimberger of Viator helped the Lions cause with an 81.
But the sun-kissed afternoon belonged to Carlson.
"It was just a great day," said Carlson with the final word. "I was striking the ball beautifully."