Girls golf: Barrington’s Wallace fires 29 on back 9, sets course record while winning regional title; Stevenson goes low to take team crown

From the time she was five, Reese Wallace could always be found playing golf with her grandfather William Lim at Bonnie Dundee Golf Club in Carpentersville.

Lim, who is now 83, was on hand Tuesday for the girls Class 2A regional at Bonnie Dundee. And Wallace put on a show for her grandfather and everyone else who was in attendance.

Wallace went from being one-over on the front to tying a course record with a 65 to win the regional medalist honors. Wallace had five birdies and an eagle on the back nine to shoot 29.

“The 29 matches best score on the back nine here,” said Wallace, who will play at TCU next year.

“The back none feels like my home. I always feel comfortable going out on the back nine.”

“Grandpa”, which is what all the Barrington players and coaches call Mr. Lim, is a permanent fixture at all the Fillies’ matches.

“When she was younger, we played,” said Lim, who has been retired for 16 years and is always watching his granddaughter and her teammates.

“But not much now. I love coming to watch. I felt sad for her on the front nine. But she played very well on the back.”

Barrington coach Tim Martin was also amazed at Wallace’s performance.

“I actually told Reese at the turn that how great it would be for her to come back and win this,” Martin said. “It is the best nine holes I have ever seen anyone play. She was just so locked it.”

While Wallace was spectacular with her game, Stevenson had a full team of stunning players.

The Patriots, who at one time on the back nine had five of their players under par, still finished with three players under par, winning the regional title with an eight-under 277.

“They played lights out today,” Stevenson coach Emma Degen said. “I looked at their scores and they kept going down. We shot 277. I have never seen a 277 and I have had some really good teams.”

Campbell Ray and Victoria Shao each shot a three-under 68 to tie for second. Emma Fiocchi shot a two-under 69 while Ava Alimissis shot 72 and Lily Wang 73.

“We have a really good dynamic,” said Ray, who had six birdies to go with her three bogies. “Even when something doesn’t go well for one of us, we try to be there for each other. We are so lucky to have a deep and talented team.”

Shao had four birdies, two bogies and an eagle on the final hole for her 68.

“I think we are all doing our best and putting in the work,” Shao said. “But we also have a shoulder to rest on if someone needs it.”

Wallace helped Barrington finish second with a 292. Teagan Carden (72), Addison Yoon (73) and Olivia Yoon (82) paced the Fillies.

Fremd’s Alia Brazeau (68) had four birdies and an eagle on 13 to lead Fremd to third place with a 306.

“It was a great round,” Brazeau said. “I had a couple of bad breaks out there. I got stuck in some deadpan a couple of times. But besides that, it was great.”

Fremd also got scoring from Cara Spahic (70), Kathy Lee (82) and Maya Dewulf (86).

Natalie Zimmerman and Bianca Ramirez from Jacobs qualified as individuals with a 77 and 78, respectively.

Buffalo Grove had three individuals qualify: Abbey Foster (86), Kaitlyn Bauman (88) and Paige Athanas (91). Lake Zurich’s Ashley Prindiville shot 87 and Vernon Hills’ Eve Engler carded a 90 to qualify.