Controversy, but Grayslake C. sectional finally finishes
The marathon two-day Class 2A Grayslake Central boys golf sectional finally came to a conclusion Tuesday but not until an eight-player playoff took place to decide the 10th and final individual qualifying spot, and not until nearly 90 minutes of rules committee meetings and a call to the IHSA had to be made to decide the final team qualifying spot.
When all was said and done, the 317 shot by St. Francis prior to Monday's weather suspension held up, sending coach Greg Baresel and the Spartans home with their first sectional championship since 1994. Richmond-Burton's 324 from Monday held at second place and the third and final qualifying team was Vernon Hills, which finished its round Tuesday and carded a 327, one shot better than Burlington Central.
But even though the Cougars had long left the course believing their place at ISU's Weibring Golf Course this weekend was secure, Burlington Central coach Deb Twenhafel lodged a second rules question against Cougars' senior Stephen Levine that took the rules committee nearly an hour to sort out, shortly after BC's Joe Sherman and Wheaton Academy's Zack Spear had fended off six other challengers on the second playoff hole for the final individual qualifying spots at this weekend's state tournament.
Levine's eagle on 18 put the Cougars past Burlington Central. But the shot came with a protest from the other players in Levine's group who said they did not actually see the ball go in the hole. Levine removed the ball from the cup before his playing partners witnessed it being in the hole. This is the first year the state tournament series has been played without adult observers with each group, a recommendation that was made by the golf advisory committee in December.
After meeting for over 30 minutes the rules committee ruled Levine's 3 on the hole would stand. Grayslake Central coach Jim Mazzetta would not comment on what was said in the rules meeting.
“Steven Levine knocked his ball in for eagle on 18 from about 70 yards,” said Vernon Hills coach Shawn Healey. “It was a phenomenal shot. If you look at one shot that got us downstate that was it. The other guys said they didn't see it so they didn't believe it. The rules committee ruled that they didn't see anything different happen so you rely on the integrity of the player.”
Even though her team did qualify Sherman and senior Austin Niesel, who shot a 79 on Monday, the outcome left Twenhafel, who is retiring after 25 years as Central's first and only head boys golf coach, emotionally drained.
“It's disappointing. These boys didn't play their greatest round but they played well enough and they should have moved on,” said Twenhafel, whose team took fourth at state last year.”
The second controversy came when Twenhafel learned of the possibility that Levine had come to the clubhouse then returned to the course without turning in a signed score card, which under USGA rules would be cause for disqualification. But after meeting behind closed doors for 40 minutes and calling the IHSA, the ruling handed down was that there was not definitive enough evidence that Levine actually left the course, and the protest was denied.
“This was a test of survival and we're ecstatic,” said Healey, whose team will play at state for the second time and first since 2011. “This was a team effort. It took four scores for us to get out of here. No one was happy with their score but put the four together and it was enough.”
Freshman Brian Favia led the Cougars with a 6-over par 78.
“It was definitely nerve-racking,” Favia said. “I could barely put the ball on the tee the first hole but then I settled down. I'm very happy we were able to get through this. My goal at the beginning of the year was to get to state.”
Seniors Ricky Schmidt (81) and Bo Manso (83) joined Levine as the Cougars' other scorers.
“I'm very happy,” Schmidt said. “We worked very hard for this and it's great, We've out a lot of hard work into this for four years. The freshman stepped up today and that was the key.”
BC's Sherman was able to secure the first of two open spots eight players vied for in the playoff after shooting 81s. He sank a par putt on the second playoff hole.
“I knew it was downhill but I had the speed of these greens down pretty good,” Sherman said. “I just didn't want to blow it by the hole.”
That left the final spot open to three golfers. The first two missed their par putt, but Spear made his to end the playoff.
“I just had to approach it like any other 3-foot putt,” he said. “There's definitely a sense of relief. In between shots was stressful. Now I'm looking forward to preparing for the weekend.”
St. Edward junior Michael Mattas gave his parents an anniversary present by securing his first trip downstate with a 79. Mattas had to finish the final five holes on Tuesday.
“I was pretty nervous,” said Mattas, who had to take a penalty shot before even hitting a shot Tuesday when he rolled his ball into a tee mark. “I came right back from that with a birdie and I knew I was still in it. I just had to grind it out. It was hard. I'm pretty excited. I don't have to qualify anymore. I can just go at it and do my best.”
Other individual qualifiers included Grayslake Central junior Kyle Reynolds (76) and Aurora Central Catholic sophomore Mac Cowen (80). Richmond-Burton senior Jordan Hahn was meet medalist with a 2-under 70.