Prospect shoots into fourth place
FORSYTH -- Prospect is in fourth place in the team standings after New Trier sent shock waves through the field by taking a 311-313 lead over prohibitive favorite Homewood-Flossmoor, the defending state champion, after the first round of the girls golf state tournament on Friday at Hickory Point Golf Course.
The Knights' collective 327 left the squad 13 shots behind Hinsdale Central for a potential team trophy.
Christine Garmoe had a front-nine eagle, holing out a 9-iron from 105 yards to flavor her team-low 78.
“It was really weird, Carmoe said of her fifth-hole gem. “I just saw it bounce straight to the right, and I heard my mom (Belinda) scream, ‘Oh, my gosh!.'
Rachel Lawless and Allison Walsh were a shot apart with respective rounds of 80 and 81 for the Knights.
“I'm glad my team is here to help me out, said Walsh, the Knights' low sectional performer.
“I'm very proud of the way my kids played, Prospect coach Jim Hamann said. “We're going to try and make noise (today).
Freshman Kiley Walsh completed the Knights' total with an 88.
Buffalo Grove at-large contender Grace Kil is in the hunt for all-state honors; the sophomore fired a 3-over 75 to join defending state runner-up Hayley Guyton of Kaneland in a tie for sixth.
St. Viator freshman Dana Gattone persevered in the wind-swept conditions to fire an 83.
Stephanie Miller sensed she was having a special day when she made the turn.
The Stevenson sophomore made it look even easier over her next four holes.
Miller chipped in for birdie twice in a four-hole stretch, reaching 4-under-par on her round after her fifth birdie on her opening 13 holes.
“I think it had been like a year or year and a half since I had a chip-in (in competition), Miller said. “And I get two in the same day.
Miller would cool somewhat over her final five holes, finishing with a pedestrian 4 pars and a bogey to take the first-round lead of the individual 36-hole tournament with a 3-under 69.
The Patriots' standout, eighth last year, has a 2-shot lead over Homewood-Flossmoor Notre Dame-bound star Ashley Armstrong.
“I was just willing to see how the day played out, to see how low I could go, Miller said after her high school career-best performance. “I was able to hit greens (in regulation).