Area qualifiers going it alone at state tournaments

Golf is one of the few sports where qualifying for the state tournament can be a bittersweet experience.

Just ask Carmel's Jack Watson or Stevenson's Angelina Kim, Kaitlin Garske and coach Andrew Conneen.

Watson was nonplused after he won the sectional title Monday with a 73 on the par-71 Makray Memorial Golf Course.

"I thought we could make it out as a team, and I was disappointed that we didn't," said Watson, a junior.

Similar thoughts were going through Kim's mind after her round.

"It was so much fun going down as a team," she said. "It's going to be a lot different."

Two years ago, Stevenson edged Lake Forest by 1 stroke to qualify as a team. This year, the Patriots finished 2 shots out of second.

"It's painful to come so close as a team," Conneen said. "Now, we know how the other half feels."

While there was some disappointment, the area qualifiers will have no trouble getting fired up for the state tournament Friday and Saturday.

The boys Class 3A tournament will be contested at the Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington.

Watson will be loaded with confidence after winning one of the state's toughest sectionals.

"I have the confidence that I can play with these kids," Watson said.

Watson closed out his round at sectionals with a birdie on the par-5, 18th. He found a greenside bunker when he went for the green in two.

"It was a weird lie and everyone was watching," he said. "I thought I had to get it up and down for our team to have a chance."

Watson played a nifty shot to 5 feet and made the putt.

"It was a slider; it was the one of the scariest five footers that I've had," he said.

Like Watson, Lakes junior Abbie Horan is coming off an impressive 77 at sectionals.

"There's always a few more putts you could make, but I've been really happy overall with my scores this year," she said.

Horan struggled throughout her opening round at state last year before closing with a 76 in the second round.

"I've already been to state once so I won't be as nervous," she said. "I'm a lot more confident this year."

This will be the third time Kim and Garske have played in the state tournament. The venue will be Stone Creek Golf Course in Makanda, which was where the tournament was played two years ago.

"They'll have a leg up on a lot of the field because not many of the girls have seen the course before," Conneen said. "They both have a lot of positive memories from state."

Garske said it's important to play the same style that you've used all season.

"I can't try and keep up with the long hitters," she said. "I've been playing very consistent and not getting myself into as much trouble."

Conneen said there is no doubt Kim, Garske and senior Alex Kessler have made a huge impact on Stevenson golf.

"It's going to be difficult not having them next year," he said. "They were a key part of building us into a really successful program."