Kelly leads WW South into sectional
The Wheaton Warrenville South boys golf team is quite familiar with Arrowhead Golf Club.
But even the Tigers couldn’t recall a day where the condition of the course combined with the weather provided such a fantastic opportunity to shoot a low score.
While they weren’t at their best, the Tigers were good enough to keep their season alive, finishing in third place with a 312 in Thursday’s Class 3A Wheaton Warrenville South regional. Lyons won the regional, edging runner-up Hinsdale Central, 298 to 300.
The Tigers will head to Bartlett Hills on Monday for the Bartlett sectional.
“It was a great day today. Not too hot, not much wind at all and the course was in excellent condition,” Tigers coach James Selleck said. “Our goal was to come in and play well and especially to finish on the backside — and you know, we did that.”
Tee-K Kelly led the Tigers with a 2-over-par 74.
“I just didn’t get it going with my irons and wedge game,” he said. “I didn’t put myself in position for any birdies, so it was a pretty steady, pretty average round.”
Also contributing rounds for the Tigers were Colin McCaffrey, Will Kelly and Theo Corry.
Glenbard West took fourth place with a 325. While the Hilltoppers didn’t advance as a team, they’re sending five golfers onto the Bartlett sectional, including Trevor Toulouse who shot an 87 and earned the 10th and final qualifier by winning in sudden death.
Peter Norgaard led the way for the Hilltoppers with a 78, followed by an 81 from Dan Schlesser and 83s from Myles Purdom and Jack Olsen.
“A 325 is pretty consistent for high school golf, and obviously Lyons, Hinsdale Central and Wheaton (Warrenville South) are very talented so it’s nice to get some individuals (to sectional),” Hilltoppers coach Paul Hezlett said. “This is an all-senior group and they’ve worked so hard, so it’s nice for them to get a chance to play again.”
Wheaton North’s freshmen made fine postseason debuts as Matt Winkelman led the Falcons with an 80, Justin Harrington shot an 83 and Michael Suazo finished with an 86. All three advanced to sectional play.
“I thought I played pretty well and I was even after six holes,” Winkelman said. “I didn’t have any double (bogeys) today, which is always a good thing.”
West Chicago’s Kyle Martens fired an 84 to lead the Wildcats. Teammate Connor Simmons finished with a very solid 83 but was disqualified over a scorecard error.
Martens was even through the first seven holes but had a double bogey on No. 8 and struggled with his tee shots midway through his round.
While Martens was disappointed with his play on the back 9, seeing his good friend and teammate disqualified was far more disheartening.
“I’ve been playing with him for four years and it (stinks) to have that happen to him,” Martens said. “He hadn’t done so well on 18 holes and then he finally put it together today and then something like this happens.”
Glenbard East took eighth place with a 391. Danny Carlson and Adam Donahue each shot a 97.
Hinsdale Central’s Harry Boling beat Lyons’ Charlie Netzel in a three-hole playoff for medalist. Both players shot a 1-under-par 71.