Hersey's Starkman patiently wins Wheeling Invitational

Ryan Starkman wasn't about to let little things like a severe thunderstorm and a hour-plus rain delay get him overly concerned.

The Hersey senior, who said he had "just a pretty calm round" bested not only the elements but also a championship-caliber field in the Wheeling Invitational at Chevy Chase Country Club on Saturday.

Starkman fired a 72, including a 2-under 34 on the back nine, to take medalist honors at the prestigious tourney.

"This is the premier invitational in the state," said Hersey coach Dan Caporusso, "so for Ryan to take the medalist award here is really special for his resume."

Tony Albano of Maine South, Hudson Luthringshausen from St. Viator, and Wheaton Warrenville South's Jason Plepel all finished tied for individual runner-up honors by firing 73s. Lake Forest took home the team trophy with a score of 305.

"It was extremely wet, with a lot of standing water," said Starkman of the course conditions as the golfers took to the links after the weather delay. "The greens were very damp."

But the senior was able to withstand the elements with a consistent round that included three birdies, two on the back nine.

"I chalk this up to good ball striking," said Starkman, who won despite just lipping out long putts on his first two holes. "I only had one bad hole and I think I only missed one green all day.

"I love the competition out here, and it feels really good to come out on top in a field as good as this one."

Luthringshausen, one of a string of recent fantastic freshman players for St. Viator, led the Lions to a second-place team trophy with a score of 310.

"He comes from a Viator alum family," said Lions coach Jack Halpin of the frosh, who showed signs of great things to come by firing a 68 at his first-ever high school tourney this year at the Highlands. "His uncles are both Viator grads. He's a good solid player, and it's going to be a pleasure to have him here for a long time."

Luthringshausen says he understands the St. Viator golf tradition. The Lions have won three straight state championships and are gunning for a fourth in 2010.

"We want to leave our own legacy, like the guys who came before us," said the freshman, whose superb score at Chevy Chase inlucded six birdies.

St. Viator's Ken Wienckowski carded a 76 to help lead the Lions to the runner-up finish, while a 74 from Jim Poulos, good for a medal, helped Prospect (311) take home third place.

Buffalo Grove's Doug Ghim, another freshman, shot 74 to finish in the top 10 and take home a medal.

Jimmy Jaskoske was best for Addison Trail with a 77, Derek Leeney of Prospect also fired a 77, while Jordan Wetsch of St. Charles East matched that score.

Nick Schiavi's 77 led a strong Barrington effort as the Broncos (313) finished fourth overall, while Tee-K Kelly of Wheaton Warrenville South shot 75 to go along with teammate Plepel's medal winning round.

Plepel, a senior, was one of a number of golfers who thought the invite would be cancelled after the skies opened up and rain poured down on the Wheeling course for more than an hour as most of the golfers were finishing their fifth hole.

"I was excited to come out here and play today," said the senior, who followed up a tie for first place last week at Fox Valley with Saturday's second-place finish.

"I'd been struggling with my driving, so I shortened up my swing a little and it's been working out really well."