Kelly leads WW South to first postseason crown in 12 years
Tee-K Kelly began his round with back-to-back red numbers, and the Wheaton Warrenville South sophomore conquered Orchard Valley with his short game down the stretch.
The Class 3A West Aurora boys golf regional lived up to its predecessors' rich legacy at the hazard-laden two-time Illinois Open venue on Tuesday in Aurora. But it was the interlopers from Wheaton who stole the show from the Aurora and Naperville heavyweights.
Kelly was 1-under-par through 17 holes and needed par or better at the last to earn medalist honors. The Tigers' ace lost his tee shot in a hazard, leading to double bogey, but WW South used his runner-up 73 as its anchor score in claiming its first postseason triumph in a dozen years.
"It's very special," WW South coach Jimmie Selleck said of the Tigers' 306-309 victory over second-place Neuqua Valley. "We were playing to win today. We have been consistently and gradually improving this year."
Kelly had a trio of bogeys over his closing outward-nine stretch to make the turn in 37, but the sophomore fashioned another consecutive birdie run at Nos. 11 and 12 to get back in the red. After a short miss at No. 13, Kelly revitalized his round with a deft up-and-down bunker shot at 14, another par save at 15 and near chip-in for eagle at 16.
"That was huge for my confidence," Kelly said of his short-game wizardry coming in. "I really started to feel comfortable with my swing (after a laser-like 5-iron to 12 feet at the signature 12th hole). We won as a team, so it was a good day."
Jason Plepel earned top-10 status with his 4-over 76, and the Tigers' Will Dolatowski furthered the team cause with a 77. Jeremy Rhoades' 81 enabled WW South to hold off the inevitable challenges from Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley.
The sister schools returned to the top-notch field after dominating their competition last year in Joliet. The teams are once again headed to sectional play on Monday at St. Andrews as the Wildcats' scintillating collective play on the outward nine carried the day. Upstate Eight Conference co-champions Kyle Geist and Stephen Powers combined for 6 birdies and an eagle on their opening nine; Geist made the turn at 3-under 33 powered by his eighth-hole eagle, and Powers was one back of his teammate.
But the two, Geist in particular, struggled down the stretch, only to be rescued by John Walsh. The junior fashioned steady nines of 38 and 37 to place fifth overall with a 75, and the Wildcats' return engagement to the team sectional was secured when Joe Jensen and Austin Mitchell posted 83s.
"(Walsh) ended up being a huge score for us," Neuqua Valley coach Spike Grosshuesch said after Powers and Geist posted inward nines of 40 and 44 for 74 and 77, respectively. "I'm just glad we're moving on."
Waubonsie Valley sophomore Alex Koulos was the star attraction for the Warriors. The southpaw tamed the wet and windy conditions on the back nine to the tune of a 2-under 34 to claim top individual honors with an even-par 72.
"My wedges were really working today and my ball-striking was very consistent," Koulos said. "Three of the five birdies I made were with wedges in my hands."
Thomas O'Bryan, Josh Stefanski and Brian Salerno rounded out the Warriors' senior-less scores. Naperville North (316) and Naperville Central (328) were the odd schools out, but both schools had three at-large qualifiers.
Naperville North senior Ben Nelson tied Powers' 74 for third overall. Benet (330) was denied a return trip to the state finals, but John and Pat Callahan both made the individual cut. Metea Valley (350) was ninth.
Nick Pavlik was at-risk of an empty scrapbook for his junior season. But the West Aurora top-rated player found the perfect tonic for his game.
"(Playing on our) home course definitely helped," Pavlik said. Host and defending champion West Aurora was realistic that the likelihood of stunning the field for a second straight year was minimal.
"I think we were seeded ninth," coach Jay Bauer said.
But Pavlik provided the squad a much-needed boost as the junior extended his season with a 78.
"My driver wasn't working very well, but I was sticking my irons," Pavlik said. "Last year I did really well at the (Naperville Central) regional, and that helped prepare me for today. My putting really saved me, too."
"(Pavlik) has put in a lot of hard work during the summer," Bauer said. "I am surprised to get an individual out."
Grant Lavery missed the individual cut by a stroke, which fell at 82. Adam Baumann and Jake Bauer had respective rounds of 87 and 95 to complete the Blackhawks' eighth-place 343.
Batavia closed out its season with a seventh-place 335. The Bulldogs had four players break 80 last year at Naperville Central, only to be left out of the sectional when the cut line went inhospitably low.
Nick Michael was one of a dozen players to break 80, and the senior is sectional bound after overcoming a slow start.
"I had a lot of lucky breaks," Michael said of his 79. "I chipped in twice, including one from about 50 yards. It took one hop and dunked. It was pretty exciting. That was to save bogey (on 15)."
Freshman Nathan Podraza was yet another player to miss the cut by a stroke; Tim Schofield ended his career with an 84, while John Vacek also saw his golfing time at Batavia close with an 89.
"The 79 is going to hold up this year," Batavia coach Tim DeBruycker said. "It's good to see a senior move on."