WW South’s Anderson wins in playoff
Wheaton Warrenville South junior Kelly Anderson defeated Neuqua Valley sophomore Jessica Yuen on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to win medalist honors of the 16-team Naperville North Rosie Invitational at Naperbrook Golf Course in Plainfield on Saturday.
The two fired matching 1-under-par 71s to force extra play.
Anderson reversed the results of the epic encounter between former multiple state-qualifying greats Carissa Werlinger and Jenna Pearson 11 years ago to the day.
Werlinger, from Neuqua Valley, turned back the Tigers’ Pearson in a three-hole playoff after the two turned in identical 70s in 2002.
Few things changed Saturday as the duo combined for 8 birdies in fashioning their shared low rounds in regulation.
The vulnerable par-4s were at the players’ mercy.
“Everything was working,” said Anderson, who authored composite nine-hole scores of 35 and 36. “My drives were going right by the greens (on the short par-4s). I was able to chip close for birdies.”
Anderson, in forging her personal-low round, defeated Yuen, the reigning Class AA state runner-up, with a bogey on the first playoff hole.
“Today I focused on maintaining my game,” said Yuen, who had the low nine-hole score with a 2-under 24 on her outward nine. “My advantage was with my driver today.”
Both competitors had 4 birdies.
Hinsdale Central, a leading state contender, placed four players in the top nine to win with a 316 total.
Zoe Wong was the Red Devils’ leader with a 75.
“I shot my best score ever today,” Wong said.
Naperville North, with state aspirations of its own, was runner-up with a 332.
Senior leader and state veteran Taylor Arenson led the Huskies with a sixth-place 79.
“(My) putting all day, I couldn’t get anything to drop,” Arenson said. “I had 3 or 4 birdie putts that I just missed.”
Naperville North, the prohibitive favorite at the DuPage Valley Conference tournament Tuesday, also received an 82 from Jaycie Waite and an 84 by Blayne Yarmat.
“I don’t think anyone was 100 percent thrilled with their score,” Naperville North coach Greta Williams said. “Taylor wasn’t thrilled. She left a lot of shots out there.”
Bing Singhsumalee, the reigning state amateur champion, was third after a level-par 36 inward nine left the Waubonsie Valley junior with a 75 total.
“I didn’t play that well today,” Singhsumalee said. “I am definitely trying to find out my weak spots, like my putting. I just wasn’t striking solid (putts).”
Waubonsie Valley edged sister-school Neuqua Valley by a stroke for fourth.
Freshman Riya Anand snared the final top-10 slot to fuel Naperville Central.
Katelyn Kline, Caitlin Berry and Gretchen Schramko were the respective low performers for Benet, Wheaton North and Metea Valley.
It has been a social and athletic transition of a different kind for Carly Hudon this fall.
After playing on the Sycamore boys golf team the last three years, the one-time Class AA state qualifier transferred to St. Charles North for her senior year.
The differences have been pronounced in various respects, especially on the golf course.
“My scores have been looking better because I have been playing from the girls’ tees,” Hudon said after spearheading the North Stars’ third-place team showing with an 81.
“It makes the courses seem shorter.”
Hudon had an excellent start after touring the front nine in 1-over 37.
“I feel like I played really well on the front nine,” Hudon said. “The wind conditions took a toll (on the back nine).”
The North Stars, who enter the Upstate Eight Conference tournament tomorrow at St. Andrews with a flawless regular-season record, were 7 shots lower, 341-348, than league rival Waubonsie Valley to place third.
Gi Furrie is another new cog to the North Stars’ quest for a first state berth since 2005.
The freshman sister of former two-time conference champion Ariana, Furrie has played in the top slot for St. Charles North all season.
Then again, with six consecutive age-group St. Charles city championships to her credit, it is not a surprise.
“I try to play for now,” Furrie said of her impeccable pedigree before entering high school. “I was just a little off today.”
Paired in the lead group with the No. 1 players among the top-four seeded schools, Furrie had nine-hole rounds of 42 and 41 for a 83.
Sam Scroggin and Kate Lillie broke 90 to complete the North Stars’ team total.
“The girls played well, but I think they felt their scores were higher than usual,” St. Charles North coach Chris Patrick said. “Their putting numbers were a little high today.”
St. Charles East and Batavia were also in the field.
Darby Crane, Reagan Stanton, Mary Ellen Combs and Kacie Gaffney were between 93 and 97 for the Saints, who finished two slots better than Batavia in the bottom third.
Lauren Anderson and Becca Hasemann had identical scores as the only Batavia players to break triple digits.
“We’re going into conference looking for personal bests,” Batavia coach Morgan Connell said. “I told the girls, ‘This is a perfect practice round today (for the Neuqua Valley regional in 10 days).’”