Maine West’s Kukec used to pressure

Maine West junior golfer Tom Kukec already knows what it feels like to face the pressure of the state playoffs.

After an outstanding season on the sophomore basketball team last winter, Kukec was called up to varsity for the postseason. He made an impact by hitting a couple of huge 3-pointers in a game against Maine South.

“I had little hesitation in putting Tom in the game,” said Maine West basketball coach Erik McNeill. “I think that scenario can quickly sum up his mental makeup and his ability to shoot the basketball. He had never played a varsity game before and hadn’t even practiced with the starters, and he was put into regional action and was very clutch.”

Now this weekend, Kukec will be shooting for birdies and eagles instead of baskets as the junior becomes the first Maine West golfer since 1992 to qualify for the boys golf state finals.

Kukec fired an 83 at Monday’s Homewood-Flossmoor sectional, then survived a six-man playoff to advance to the tourney held this Friday and Saturday at the Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington.

“The great thing about Tom is that he doesn’t get unnerved,” said Maine West boys golf coach Mike Godlewski of his stellar player. “He’s not too happy about the highs or too down about the lows. That’s the kind of athlete he is.”

Kukec needed all his skills of staying on an even keel to advance from the tourney at Balmoral Woods in Crete. He suffered through two double bogeys and a quadruple bogey on the 6,500-yard, par-72 course, but a couple of well-timed birds led to his tying for the final spot with five other golfers, including teammate Tim Burchard.

Kukec parred the first playoff hole to move on.

“I got kind of a lucky draw,” said the modest junior, “and I knew that if I shot a great round I had a good chance to make it.”

On the first extra hole, a par-5, Kukec slammed a 300-yard drive down the middle of the fairway, hit his second shot to the fringe of the green, chipped on and 2-putted for the par.

“I was exciting,” said Kukec, “and to know that I’m the first (Maine West) player to go to state in 20 years is a pretty special feeling.”

“It was incredibly sweet to have two guys in the hunt,” added Godlewski. “I was happy to see Tom make it but unfortunately Tim fell just short.”

The junior’s sporting talents aren’t limited to just golf and basketball. Kukec is a three-sport star, having started at first base on the varsity baseball team for most of his sophomore year until a broken ankle slowed him down.

He recovered from the injury nicely. After the appearance at Bloomington this weekend Kukec, who scored 32 points (including seven 3-pointers) in a sophomore basketball game last year against Deerfield, is going to a big part of McNeill’s plans this season.

“Tom is somebody we’ll be counting on on the hardwood,” said McNeill. “His approach to athletics and his demeanor as an athlete is very inspiring, especially for a junior.”

But for now the focus is on making history for the Warriors in Bloomington with 36 holes of golf at the notoriously tough Fox Creek Course — and Kukec harbors no illusions as to how difficult it’ll be.

“There’s obviously going to be some great golfers there,” said the three-year varsity golf standout. “I know it’s a very long course, though, and that suits my game.

“I’m going to do the best that I can and hope to finish in the top 50.”

But no matter what the result Godlewski, who in Kukec has his first state qualifier in his 17 years as head coach, knows that everyone is already extremely proud of the gifted athlete.

“We are all, including Tom,” said Godlewski, “just ecstatic.”