Boys golf: Barrington measures up against Wynstone field

The Barrington boys golf team began this season the same way it ended last year's campaign - by facing some of the best competition in the state.

The Broncos, third-place Class 3A state medalists in 2014, hosted the likes of defending state champion Hinsdale Central,, along with perennial powers such as Loyola, New Trier and St. Viator, at Tuesday's inaugural Wynstone Invitational.

This time though, Barrington came out on top, winning the tournament in North Barrington with a team score of 306. The Trevians were second at 312.

"Great way to start," said Broncos coach Mike Kallenbach, whose team was led by a 74 from Cole Kempinski with the second-best individual score of the day.

Brendan O'Reilly of Hinsdale Central took medalist honors with an even-par 72.

"We try to win every tournament," said Kallenbach, "but really this was all about getting the band back together, as it were, and having fun.

"The goal today was to build confidence and have the kids get used to playing team golf again, rather than the individual golf they've been playing all summer."

Kallenbach came up with the idea to have eight players from each team tee off at the invite, rather than the usual 4 or 5 that are allocated for tourneys - although not every competitor was able to finish due to inclement weather at the end.

"We wanted to have as many kids as possible be able to participate in a tournament like this," said Kallenbach.

Junior Tim Lim - who fired a 78 for the Broncos - said he appreciated the beauty of the Jack Nicklaus-designed North Barrington layout.

"This might be the nicest course I've ever played," said Lim. "The conditions were flawless. I had some rough patches today on the front nine, but I made some good shots and was able to salvage some pars."

St. Viator's Liam Warner saw quite a change in conditions Tuesday. Warner and his Lions teammates were rained out of their Monday tourney at Rolling Green when severe storms hit the area after only a few holes.

At Wynstone, Warner fired a 76.

"We knew it was going to be a little dicey (at Rolling Green) going in," said Warner. "When the storm hit, there was just water collecting everywhere. I was disappointed because I like playing that course."

"This is a great course, too. Nicklaus doesn't make anything bad. This is a place that really you have to have played before to play well, and the pins today were looking like they were almost off the green, they were so well hidden."

Matt Trimberger carded a 79 for St. Viator while Burke Barsamian and Tom Calbi of the Broncos each finished at 74.

Kallenbach added that the first-year event was the brainchild of Gary Kempinski, Cole's father and a club member.

"Mr. Kempinski had the idea," said Kallenbach, "and once Wynstone got wind of it, they were all in. They wanted to make it a cool event for the kids, and I think they succeeded."

Sean Dolan pitched in with an 86 for Barrington, and Cole Kempinski agreed with his coach that it was nice to get back to playing team golf.

"When you're playing for your team," said Kempinski, "every stroke matters. You've got to grind it out on every shot, every chip, every putt."