Viator rides Ferrari to title

St. Viator made history Saturday at the Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington.

The Lions, East Suburban Catholic Conference champions and winners of nine tournaments in 2007, captured a 10th -- and in the process -- the inaugural Class 3A boys golf championship.

Viator won by 5 shots over a strong Quincy team that included individual medalist Luke Guthrie.

"It's a sweet feeling," said senior Mike Ferrari, who shot an even-par 72 on the final day of competition to lead Viator to the historic win.

Barrington junior Ross Frankenberg took home the second-place medal with a 2-day total of 144, 5 strokes behind Guthrie.

"I wasn't exactly happy with my front nine today (39)," said Frankenberg, "but I played the back nine 1-under, so I'm not disappointed. Luke is a phenomenal player."

Barrington senior Charlie Douglas fired a 76 on the final day to help the Broncos finish fourth, while Fremd sophomore Sean Jones (73 on Saturday for a two-day total of 151) tied for the eighth-place individual medal.

Ferrari closed out his prep career in dramatic fashion by improving 9 strokes over his score of 81 on the tournament's first day.

"This was my last high school round, and I knew I'd remember this no matter how I did," Ferrari said. "I wanted to go out on a good note, and I played well today."

St. Viator coach Jack Halpin couldn't have agreed more.

"This was his lowest ever high school round," Halpin said of the senior. "He brought it home for us."

"This was a hard-fought win. Everyone expected this Quincy team to be the ones to beat."

According to St. Viator junior Matt Vitale, whose Saturday score of 76 played a big part in the win, it was the advice of Halpin prior to the final round that propelled the Lions to the title.

Viator led Quincy by 1 stroke after the first day, but Halpin told the team to go into the final day "as if we were in third place," according to Vitale.

"Coach told us to play like we were 8 shots behind, and fight for every stroke," Vitale said. "He didn't want anyone to play conservatively.

"This is pure joy. We did what we were supposed to do. I'm so happy for my teammates."

Teammates that include sophomores Danny Stringfellow, whose two-day total of 150 tied for the eighth-place individual medal, and Joe Carlson (152).

Senior Matt Crandall (76 on Friday) and sophomore Brad Klune (75 on Saturday) made contributions to the win, but St. Viator isn't about to rest on its laurels.

"This is a big deal," said Halpin. "And with three sophomores and a junior (returning), the planning for next year starts tomorrow."

"We want to do the same thing next year," Stringfellow said.