Palatine regional presents Fox Valley teams tough competition
How competitive is today’s Class 3A Palatine boys golf regional at Palatine Hills?
“If this was World Cup soccer, we would be in the pool of death,” said Huntley coach Jim Rolando. “There are six really good teams and only three qualify for the sectional. We are ready to do our best and see what happens. It’s probably going to take a great score to be in the Top 3. Good scores most likely won’t make it through.”
Rolando’s Red Raiders finished second in the Fox Valley Conference to Jacobs with Jake Grabner, Riley Wicks, Brad Spoeth, Tyler Ross and Trent Craig earning all-conference honors and Glenn Miller narrowly missing a medal.
Jacobs is led by seniors Chris Boyle (76 average for 18), Jack Ramsett (78) and Gabe Askam (79), along with sophomore Justin Lenzini (79).
“Our team has the ability to shoot low scores on any given day,” said Jacobs coach Jeremy Bauer. “Hopefully everybody puts together a good round on the same day. We’ll need to have exceptional rounds from four people because the competition is going to be tough.”
Crystal Lake South is led by Brandon Dahl and Grant Gassensmith.
“We will be challenged by the field, but hopefully we can endure and rise to the occasion,” said South coach Curt Wadlington. “I am excited to see what this young team can do.”
Jeremy Gregory and Shane Lubecker lead Dundee-Crown.
“The Palatine regional has some excellent teams and quality individuals so our guys realize they will need to play their bet round of the year to have a chance to advance to the sectional,” said D-C coach Bob Sweeney.
Seniors Daniel DePrey (7th) and Brandon DiBlasi (10th) are coming off strong FVC tournament showings for Cary-Grove.
“This is one tough regional,” said Trojans coach Kelly Muzzy. “We will have to play our best to get out as a team. I think around 300 will get us onto the sectional.”
The top three teams and the top 10 individuals not on qualifying teams advance to next Monday’s Huntley sectional at Blackstone Golf Club in Marengo.
Elgin, Larkin and South Elgin are part of the Class 3A St. Charles East regional at St. Andrews in West Chicago.
Larkin placed fourth in the Upstate Eight Conference River tournament and was 5 shots out of second place. The Royals have been paced of late by Jon and Dan Lenz, Jack McCracken, Tyler Kalusa and Drew Jones.
“We played well in the conference tournament,” said Larkin coach Tim Jones. “It’s always a tough regional so we have to play well as a team to get out.”
Elgin is led by juniors Josh Hegel and Travis Paquin.
Seniors Deven Meredith (78 for 18), Tyler Brown (80 for 18), Andrew Dylo, junior Ethan Hildebrandt and sophomore Nate Reeser lead South Elgin at the Class 3A Conant regional at Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club in Hoffman Estates. Meredith and Hildebrandt were recent all-conference selections.
“If we want to make it out as a team I think we need to shoot 315 to get third place,” said South Elgin coach Jay Bartholomew. “If they show up ready to play they will do well.”
Bartlett and Streamwood also are in the Conant field. Seniors Cal Fanslow and Chris Dungey pace Bartlett.
“Our team has improved from the beginning of the season and is playing well right now,” said Bartlett coach Jim Dinkheller. “We have to keep a positive outlook and we need to chip and putt well.”
Streamwood senior Eric Hamlin was an all-conference special mention selection, while sophomore Chase Pantle has been a key contributor as well.
“Both Eric and Chase have the ability to move onto sectionals,” said Streamwood coach George Rosner, who noted junior Hayden Holota also is capable of shooting a low round. “They both hit the ball well off the tee and have good, solid short games.”
The top three teams and top 10 individuals not on qualifying teams at St. Charles East and Conant advance to Monday’s Naperville Central sectional at Springbrook in Naperville.
On the Class 2A front, Burlington Central, St. Edward and Hampshire head to Phillips Park in Aurora for the Aurora Central Catholic regional today.
Central’s Matt Weber (35), Austin Neisel (38) and Andrew Sherman (39) all average under 40 for 9 holes. Junior Jacob Ledubuhr and freshman Joe Sherman also are key contributors. The Rockets are fresh off winning the Big Northern Conference tournament.
“We are in a tough regional,” said Central coach Deb Twenhafel. “It will be very close. There are six teams who are about three strokes from each other. I am hoping the boys get out as a team, which they can if they all fire at the same time.”
St. Edward is paced by senior Dan Winters (78 for 9 holes), sophomore Michael Mattas (80), senior John Butzow (81) and senior Michael Butzow (86).
In Class 1A, Westminster Christian will host a regional at Golf Club of Illinois in Algonquin where Elgin Academy and Harvest Christian Academy also are in the field.
Westminster is led by senior Connor Rejman (39.4 for 9), juniors Andrew Howard and Matt Swing, senior Logan Hopp and sophomore Dillon Rejman.
“If we play like we’ve played all season there (at GCI), we may have an outside shot of advancing,” said Westminster coach John Wedell. “I hope we can play at that level and then see what happens.”
Elgin Academy junior Gannon Cottone (42.5 for 9) placed fifth at the recent Independent School League tournament, while sophomore Frankie Bisconti (41) took 10th.
“I feel the team will play well,” said Academy coach Bill Pearson. “We have scored in the 160s (for 9). If we play up to our capabilities, good things will happen.”
Girls regionals
Burlington Central will host a Class AA regional Wednesday at Sycamore Golf Club. Huntley also is in the field.
The Rockets finished second in the BNC and are led by senior Jenna Kurosky (39 for 9) and sophomore Josie Kurosky (42). Juniors Alyssa Mish, Alison Colby, Haleigh Graham, senior Paige Shockey and freshman Kendra Graham also have contributed this season.
Huntley is fresh off a second-place FVC finish. Gillian Young and Zoe Dowell were all-FVC performers.
Dundee-Crown and the Jacobs-Hampshire, Elgin-Larkin and South Elgin-Bartlett-Streamwood co-op teams will play in the Prairie Ridge regional at Prairie Isle in Prairie Grove Wednesday.
Jacobs-Hampshire is led by sophomores Julia Beaugureau and Sydney Goll.
“We are looking to finish the season strong,” said Jacobs-Hampshire coach Megan Placko. “The girls have worked hard this season and hopefully their hard work will pay off.”
Dundee-Crown is led by sophomore Kylie Kost and senior Maggie Ahern.
“We are looking forward to regionals,” said D-C coach Laurie Herb. “Our team is working hard and making some improvements.”
The top three teams and 10 individuals not on qualifying teams in the Central and Prairie Ridge fields advance to Monday’s Rockford Guilford sectional at Ingersoll.
Westminster Christian hosts a Class A regional Wednesday at Golf Club of Illinois in Algonquin. St. Edward is part of the team field at GCI. Junior Ryann Scully has been the Green Wave’s leader this season.
Advancing teams and individuals at GCI will play in the Aquin sectional Saturday at Park Hills West in Freeport.