Girls golf: St. Charles North heats up quickly at Early Bird
It was hot and humid when the 2015 girls golf season commenced on Monday at the Fox Run Golf Course in Elk Grove.
The St. Charles North girls were in the spirit of the climate, sizzling like no other team before in the 12-team event that annually kicks off the season.
The North Stars fired an amazing 299, believed to the best score recorded in the history of the Early Bird Invite hosted by Conant High School.
How good were the girls from St. Charles?
Well, defending Early Bird champ Buffalo Grove improved its score by 10 strokes from last year and still finished second by 30 strokes.
"For those who might not know, that's (299) like a college score," said tourney host and Conant coach Megan Hebert, whole played golf at Barrington and Illinois Wesleyan. "That's awesome for a high school score."
Topping the field was North Stars junior Kate Lillie with a par 70.
Teammates Gianna Furrie (73), a junior, and Megan Furtney (74), a freshman, were second and third respectively while freshman Emma Hayes tied for tenth with an 82.
The North Stars' 299 broke the former school record of 314 set by the 2013 team at St. Andrews Golf Course.
"We're young this season," said SCN coach Irish Whalen, whose team was 11th in the state finals last year with Lillie and Furrie leading the way. "All our girls were very calm and focused (Monday). They were excited to start the season."
The Bison started the season with an impressive showing by sophomores Haeri Lee (tie for fifth with a 75) and Jasmine Yi (seventh with a 77). Senior Emily Carnes turned in an 84 while junior Katie Jarosz rounded out the runner-up's card with a 93.
Bison coach Matt Myers was quick to praise the North Stars' performance.
"To shoot 299 for your first score of the season is unbelievably impressive," said Myers, who is coaching his eighth team. "Our score was really encouraging but there is still a lot of work ahead for us.
"Hopefully we can build on this for the rest of the season. There is such good golf around here. It's going to be a competitive season, especially in the Mid-Suburban League."
Lee competed with the top golfers on Monday and had 2 birdies to highlight her round.
"I was pretty consistent," said Lee, who tied for ninth with teammate Yi in the MSL meet last fall. "The heart was not fun but the course ws fun to play."
Yi's 77 was a career best and included a birdie.
"My wedge was a key club for me," Yi said. "I chipped one in (hole No. 8) to save par."
Glenbrook North (331) took third place, followed by Prospect (346), Fremd (347), Deerfield (360), Hersey (363), Conant (378) and Schaumburg (407).
Leading defending MSL champion Prospect was senior Payton Chantry, who shot a personal-best 85, which included a 40-foot putt for par on hole No. 8.
Chantry, playing in the No 2 spot for the Knights, also bowls at Prospect.
"We had five girls in the 80s," she said. "I'd say we played pretty well for our first meet."
Juniors Kate Ponzi (86) and Sam Acardi (87) played in the state finals last fall when the Knights took fourth place. Freshman Emily Fleming completed the Knights' card with an 88.
"We just wanted to show people what we can do and show coach Ham (Jim Hamann) that he can believe in us. I really wanted to be part of this team so I have worked hard in the off-season."
Chantry would like to golf in college,
"I would like to be a math teacher and coach high school golf, coincidentally, just like coach Hamann. I don't think I would have wanted to coach if not for seeing how coach Hamann leads us."
"We're looking for leadership from everyone," Hamann said. "The girls are looking forward to improving all season."
Senior Jaehee Hur led Fremd's score card with a 76 while classmate Haezi Jung just missed the top 10 with a 83.
Also making the top ten from the MSL was Conant senior Megan Nagorzanski, who shot a 79.