BC's Schmalz, Larkin's Smith finish strong

BLOOMINGTON - Burlington Central and Normal U-High could not be more distant when it comes to rich golfing legacies.

U-High tied a state record with its sixth consecutive championship by taking the Class 2A title at Weibring Golf Club in Normal on Saturday afternoon.

The school has won its titles in three different class arrangements during its run.

Central, on the other hand, had a grand total of one state qualifier in program history before this weekend.

But Sam Schmalz and Peter Cappas may be changing the Rockets' fortunes.

"Our golf program is on the rise," Central coach Brody Hamel said.

Schmalz had a disappointing finish to an otherwise breakout weekend by taking bogey on five of his last six holes, but his pair of 38s on Saturday earned the senior all-state status.

With his 76 added to a 3-over-par 75 on Friday, Schmalz toured the ISU layout in a cumulative 151 and solo 10th place.

"(Schmalz) had a chance for pars on all three (of his closing holes)," Hamel said. "He was a little disappointed to finish like that, be he still played outstanding."

It was one of those days for Cappas, though, as the senior surged to an uncharacteristic 94 to put a damper on his high school career.

But Hamel still found bright spots.

"(Cappas) had a great year," Hamel said. "Even though he struggled today, it was a huge accomplishment just getting here. It didn't really show (how solid his year was) with his scores at the state meet."

The two Central seniors were the first state qualifiers for the program since 1994.

Hampshire junior Grant Yoder was in a large group at 160 as the Whips' leader fired a 79 to augment his opening-round 81.

"It would have been nice to break 160," Yoder said. "Some of the pins (i.e., their placement) were just unbelievable. I wanted to come out here and have fun and play solid."

Wheaton Academy junior David Flynn won the Class 2A individual title with a dramatic birdie on the home hole to edge Bloomington sophomore Alex Burge by a stroke.

At the Class 3A tournament at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington, St. Viator and its twin junior sensations, Joe Carlson and Danny Stringfellow, were in an elite class.

Carlson set a new state record with a 7-under-par 137, and St. Viator defended its team title with a 583 (291-292) two-day total.

Carlson followed his 69 on Friday with a 68 on Saturday to set the new state bench mark.

Larkin junior Ryan Smith was hopeful to be in the mix for all-state honors.

The Royals' leader was in the mix after a 73 on Friday, but he struggled to an outward-nine 42 on Saturday.

Then came the inward-nine, however.

Smith had a trio of incoming birdies to end his year in style: a 2-under-34.

With his 149 two-day total, Smith finished in a seven-way tie for 16th.

"I had a couple of 3-putts early," Smith said. "Ending with a 42 wasn't terrible considering how I was playing. I just kept my head in it. I only had 11 putts on the back nine."

Smith drained consecutive lengthy putts for birdies on his last two holes of the season.

"(Smith) had an outstanding weekend," Larkin coach Tim Jones said. "It's a credit to him and all of his hard work."

Cary-Grove junior Matt Efflandt overcame a rough start by closing out his front side with a birdie.

Efflandt added two more in his level-par inward-nine to end the year in a tie for 30th at 153.

Bartlett senior Trace Pomplun ended his prep playing days with an 82.

St. Edward freshman Mike Holevas was the only local player at the Class A tournament at Prairie Vista. Holevas shot his second straight 79 for the Green Wave at the par-72 layout.