Foes keep it close, but Lake Park wins
Medinah Country Club, in its storied history, has been the site of some memorable golf, including on the professional level.
So it should come as no suprise that a memorable high school meet took place Monday on the first nine holes of the club's course No. 2 as host Lake Park won a close quadrangular against Glenbard South, Glenbard West and St. Charles North.
The Lancers shot a 152, edging the Raiders' 153 with the Hilltoppers following with a 156 and the North Stars shooting a 157.
"It was a great match against some perennial powers. We had a great day and the kids shot well," said Lake Park coach Dan Batka. "Hunter (Treiber) and Jake (Dianovsky) played really well, and it was great to see some younger players play well."
Treiber and Dianovsky each shot a 36 to lead Lake Park.
"The groups (playing on the course) were competing pretty close, but some guys just had better days," Dianovsky said.
Also counting in the score for the Lancers were Phil Duncan and Mike Prell.
Glenbard South went into this season having finished second in Class 2A in 2014. Senior Russell Matos, who finished fifth at state, along with senior teammates Christopher Dufort and Jake Seaver, are back this season.
Matos was meet medalist, shooting a 34. Dufort had a 37, Jake Filip hit a 39 and Tim Weesner a 43 to add up the Raiders' score.
"I felt pretty consistent today," Matos, who will continue golfing at Northern Illinois University next year, said. "It's important on this course to play one shot at a time and to not get ahead of yourself."
Matos and the Raiders are aiming for their fourth straight trip to state.
"Last year meant a lot. I grew with the experience and want to do it again," he said.
Glenbard South coach Scott lliff has stressed smart golf to the Raiders this season, and he said it was especially important playing at Medinah.
"It's a thinking man's course. We talk golf IQ in practice and about taking smart shots. Today you needed to stay away from the 100-year-old oaks," he said.
Junior Jacob Valdick paced Glenbard West with a 36, one of three golfers to reach that in the meet, and senior Trevor Davis contributed a 39. Jack Chandler with a 40 and Kevin Nelson with a 41 rounded out the Hilltoppers' score.
St. Charles North had two golfers shoot in the 30s. Senior Hank Zimmer made good on a 37 as did senior Trevor Kurtzhals with a 39. Adding to the team score were Tyler Barton at 40 and Liam Smith with a 41.
"This was a big treat playing in an iconic place like Medinah," coach Rob Prentiss said. "It was very competitive with five shots separating four teams."