St. Charles East 2nd at sectional
It was hard to determine who or what was getting the most rave reviews Monday at the Class 3A Naperville Central boys' golf sectional at Naperbrook Golf Course.
Was it the beautiful conditions, which continued a string of great golf weather for this 2010 season?
Was it sectional champion Hinsdale Central shooting a 294 and advancing to next weekend's state finals at The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington for the fifth time in six years?
Was it Naperville North sophomore Raymond Knoll carding a medalist round of 69 to propel the Huskies to a third-place finish at 299 and a spot in the state finals?
Was it St. Charles East firing a 297 to finish second with another strong performance from Stephen Osland, marking coach John Stock's seventh team in the state finals in his 11 years of coaching?
Was it Geneva senior Andrew Cisco making the qualifying cut as an individual by 1 stroke with his 73, after finishing 1 stroke off the cut last year?
Or was it Neuqua Valley senior Kyler Kearns winning a playoff hole with a birdie to secure one of the final spots as an individual qualifier for his first trip to state after mistakenly being told prior to the playoff that he had already qualified?
You couldn't go wrong with any of those exciting scenarios, but the overriding factor was the warm, but perfect weather conditions for the teams and individuals to make their pitch for a state finals appearance.
Hinsdale Central coach Jess Krueger had a formula in mind for his team, and Harry Boling made it work with his round of 72.
“I knew one was capable of a 72, and we just needed one and then hope that everyone else tags along in the middle (70's), Krueger said.
Hinsdale Central got those others in the middle, as Trevor Jay (73), Kyle Jeske (74), and David Whinery (75) rounded out the team's four scores.
“They shot what they were capable of, and that's what I was looking for today and I knew they needed to do that to advance, said Krueger, whose team missed advancing by 2 strokes last year when only two teams qualified.
“I like the fact that we take three teams now, especially with this being such a strong sectional, Krueger said.
If a team was going to make a run at Hinsdale Central, it figured to be St. Charles East, as the two teams are now 2-2 when facing each other in tournaments this year.
Naperville North coach Ryan Hantak knew the sectional field was strong enough to be considered the state finals, but was thrilled over the fact his sophomore star Knoll continued a torrid hot streak.
“We are on cloud nine right now, and it's just awesome, Hantak said. “Raymond has the mental capabilities of winning the state, he's that kind of a player.
“But even with winning this tournament, he was more concerned about the team qualifying, but that's the kind of kid he is, Hantak added. “We made it, and that was our goal, so let's go and try to win the thing; go play our game and stay loose.
For Knoll, the 3-under-par 69 medalist round marked the third week in a row of low scores when his team needed it the most, following up on a 73 at conference and a 72 at regional. In the sectional, he was joined by teammates Nick Buege (77), Dave Considine (75) and Jon Mengel (78).
“This is our home away from home because we play at Springbrook and Naperbrook, and it's like the same thing, Knoll said. “I love this course and have been playing here my whole life, but to come out and do it here is such a great feeling.
Winning a sectional loaded with talent was not lost upon Knoll.
“We were talking about this being the hardest sectional, and to come out as the champion, it is such a great feeling, said Knoll, who carded 5 birdies in his round. “I am very confident for the state finals. I'm not a scared type of nervous when a lot of people are watching, it's more like an excited type of nervous.
Possibly the most exciting moment of the tournament came when Kearns of Neuqua Valley put a 5-iron from the fairway within 7 feet of the cup on the par-5, 18th hole in a four-man playoff for the final two qualifying spots.
“That was one of my better approach shots of the day, said Kearns, who was told by his coach Spike Grosshuesch a bit prematurely that he had thought he made the cut. “Anytime you are 7 feet away for eagle on a par-5, you have to be pretty happy. I saw my coach after the shot, and it was a special moment.
Grosshuesch was also relieved.
“They told me that 75 was the cut off, so I thought he was in, Grosshuesch said. “But it is very gratifying that we were able to get my two seniors in for their first trip to state.
The other Neuqua senior was John Walsh, who used his experience at Naperbrook to guide him.
“I've played this course hundreds of times, so I was very confident coming in and all I was thinking was stay relaxed and play your game and you'll make it, Walsh said after his 73. “I was thinking just hit that little ball on the green and 2-putt to make a par and get in with a low score.
Other Individuals not members of qualifying teams who advanced were junior Tee-K Kelly of Wheaton-Warrenville South (71), senior Thomas O'Bryan of Waubonsie Valley (72), senior Scott Meschnig of Schaumburg (71), junior Kyle Kochevar of Glenbard West (73), Chris Kopp of Hinsdale South (72), Jimmy Jaskoske of Addison Trail (73), and Charlie Netzel of Lyons Township (74).
Kelly is looking to wipe out his memory of a bad showing at the state finals last year, and he enjoyed the perfect weather this time.
“Last year it was 50 degrees and raining, so we've been blessed with good weather, Kelly said. “I was just hitting the ball solid today and hit all nine greens on the front and had 2 birdies. Then my putter got hot on the back nine.
O'Bryan was thinking about his team, more than this individual success.
“It's going to be very hard without my team down there, said O'Bryan, who was part of the Waubonsie Valley team that qualified last year. “I'm very upset, and we worked hard all year, and it was a great group of guys.
Kochevar of Glenbard West said he “felt pretty good during this round, but it was the weather that made it … if it was cold and windy it would have made a big difference because it is pretty open on this course.
Class 2A
Junior Lars Olson of Wheaton Academy shot a 77 and senior Mike Melka of St. Francis had a 78 to earn individual state berths at the Class 2A Freeport sectional played at Park Hills West. Wheaton Academy shot 317 to finish 4 shots back of the final team berth. St. Francis shot 327 and was seventh.
Class 1A
Immaculate Conception senior Patrick Haggerty shot a 77 to earn an individual state berth at the Westminster Christian sectional at Golf Club of Illinois in Algonquin.