Big shot: Libertyville’s Lipp does it again

A smaller ball didn’t provide the same larger-than-life thrill that Jack Lipp experienced on a basketball court three months ago.

But the Libertyville senior wasn’t about to downplay his excitement after his spectacular golf shot Wednesday.

Lipp’s 150-yard shot from the fairway landed near the front of the green and trickled in for an eagle-2 on the par-4 ninth hole at Pine Meadow Golf Club, helping Libertyville shoot a season-best 151 in defeating Carmel Catholic (160).

“I didn’t see it go in,” said the 6-foot-3 Lipp, who hit a pitching wedge with a slight breeze at his back. “I saw it land. I thought it was going to be right by the (hole). A couple of dads threw up their arms (and yelled).”

It was during an AAU basketball game in May that Lipp sank what he admitted was a one-in-a-million shot. His over-the-shoulder, no-look, buzzer-beating flip from the corner, while falling out of bounds, was so fantastic that it made ESPN Top Plays.

Which shot was better — that, or his pitching-wedge hole-out Wednesday?

“Definitely the (basketball) shot,” Lipp said with a smile.

Lipp’s closing eagle made amends for his double-bogey on the par-3 eighth hole. His tee shot landed in the bunker, and he left his second shot short.

“I wasn’t too happy about that,” Lipp said.

Lipp finished with an ever-par 36, tying teammate Tad Carlson and Carmel’s Jackson Wietecha for medalist honors.

Lipp said he’s holed out from 100-150 yards before, including a couple of times at White Deer Run. It was only a year ago, however, that he was playing on JV, unable to crack the varsity lineup as a junior.

“Last year I was (shooting) probably low-to-mid 40s,” Lipp said. “I’ve made a lot of improvement. Over the summer I’ve been training a lot for basketball, and that’s really helped my distance. I’m a lot further.”

Wietecha’s 9 holes included 2 birdies and a double-bogey.

“I think we can do better, but it’s early,” said first-year Carmel coach Jay Hoffmann, who coached Lake Forest to the Class AA state championship in 1999. “It’s only our second match, and there’s a lot of golf to be played.”

Carlson, who played JV last year with Lipp, parred all 9 holes.

“It was pretty good,” Carlson said. “Just fairways and GIRs (greens in regulation).

“This was better,” added Carlson, who shot a 40 at White Deer Run on Tuesday. “I’ve been playing better recently.”

Libertyville coach Sean Matthews called it his team’s best round of the season. The Wildcats were so good that even a pair of JV golfers — who played from the white tees compared to the blues for the varsity — shined. Sophomore Garrett Feiereisel fired a 1-under 35, while freshman Jacob Mueller carded a 40.

Libertyville’s varsity also counted senior Billy Knutson’s 39 and Jason Eick’s 40.

“Tremendous,” Matthews said of his team’s performance. “A 151 at this course is a tough score.”

Carmel seniors Jared Moore and Nick Tasch shot 39 and 42, respectively, while senior Chris Amato and junior Jack Lake had 43s. Carmel beat Lakes at Antioch Golf Club on Tuesday.

“We expect our seniors to get it under control,” Hoffmann said, “and get a rhythm going.”