Girls golf: Encouraging outing for Prospect against state powers
On Monday, Prospect's girls golf team begins defense of its seven straight Mid-Suburban League girls golf championships when it faces Hersey and Rolling Meadows in a tri-meet at the Rob Roy Golf Course in Prospect Heights.
The Knights prepared on Saturday by facing some of the top competition in the state at their own seven-team invite held at the Bridges of Poplar Creek in Hoffman Estates.
Finishing fourth behind state powers such as New Trier (313), St. Charles North (315) and Glenbrook South (327), Prospect scored a 340 - which was not disappointing at all to coach Jim Hamann, who hasn't lost a MSL meet since 2007.
"I'm really excited about our team score because I know it will get better," Hamann said.
Mary Schafer's score was better than any of her previous in high school.
The Knights' junior fired an 83, with a sizzling 38 on the back nine.
Schafer, who played on the junior varsity last season, finished her round by converting a 10-foot putt on No. 18.
"My putting was pretty good," she said. "And I was hitting a lot of greens in regulation (11)."
The next best score for Prospect came off the clubs of junior Sabrina Accardi, who collected four birdies (Nos. 4, 6, 11 and 16) in her round of 85.
"I was really happy about the birdies," she said. "Those really saved me."
Completing the Knights' card were junior Kate Ponzi and senior Payton Chantry, who each shot 86.
"I was real proud of Mary (Schafer)," Hamann said. "She had her personal best for 9 and 18 holes on a good course, so we were all excited for her. She really puts in a lot of work and it's paying off."
"I was also really proud of the way Payton (Chantry) finished her last four holes. And I was proud of Kate and Sabrina doing their jobs to anchor the team. They know that's their job and they're doing a nice job at it."
"Our goal is to just get better every time we play," Accardi said. "We miss our home course a lot."
The Knights were unable to play or practice at their Mount Prospect Golf Club all last season while it was under renovation.
They return for the first time since 2013 on Thursday when Barrington and Palatine visit for a MSL triangular.
"Personally I like the new course a lot," Accardi said. "It's a little shorter but I like that it's a little more challenging. You have to be more precise on where you hit your shots."
The Knights have been hitting shots quite well since Hamann took over in 2005. They were 10-1 in his first three seasons (all losses to Barrington), then reeled off seven straight 11-0 campaigns for 85 straight conference dual meet wins.
"This was a very competitive field," Hamann said about Saturday's Invite. "We had some great teams which were very talented and had some experienced younger players. It was nice to have them here."
Hamann also found it nice to have former player Michelle Caporusso at the meet as a head coach. She took over the Glenbrook South program this season.
"It was an honor to coach against Michelle," Hamann said. "I am very proud of her. She is going to do a fantastic job for Glenbrook South golf."
Caporusso said Hamann does a fantastic job keeping up with former players.
"He has been a great supporter of all his players with everything. And he has been great for me to go to for advice. He stays in touch with all his former athletes. He's a really great mentor and this was really fun today."
Stevenson (366) took fifth, followed by Conant (398) and Maine South (440).
Conant senior Megan Nagorzanski was in the top ten of an invite for the second time this week. She tied for tenth with a round of 83. On Monday, Nagorzanski was ninth (79) in the Early Bird Invite at Fox Run Golf Club.
"Megan played very well (Saturday)," said Conant coach Megan Hebert, "She is coming into the season with confidence as a senior. She know this course (Poplar Creek). We've played regionals here and we practice out here at time. It's paying off for Megan."