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Boys golf: Anderson, Carmel Catholic score an impressive win

Just over a year ago, Carmel Catholic's Tyler Anderson narrowly missed out on a Class 3A boys golf state tournament appearance. The margin was a single shot in the sectional.

On Monday, Anderson made darn sure he didn't have a repeat of that heartbreak by shooting 2-under par 68 and earning sectional medalist honors.

His efforts also led Carmel Catholic to the top team score of 303 in the Class 2A sectional at Old Orchard Country Club in Mount Prospect. The Corsairs finished ahead of Vernon Hills (318) and Marmion Academy (320) in advancing as teams to the state tournament, to be held Friday and Saturday at the Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State in Normal.

"We're just hitting our stride at the right time with the state tournament, and we'll see what happens," Carmel Catholic coach Jim Nolen said. "This is all gravy for us, and we're happy to be here. Going into 2A is interesting. The competition is just as strong and the course was just as difficult."

Anderson's rounded included matching 34s on the front and back of the par-70, 6,137-yard course. He got off to an especially stellar start, delivering an eagle on the par 5 519-yard ninth hole.

"This is my senior year and I know I have to give it my all," said Anderson, whose best round of the season also included three birdies. "I had hit my drive into the trees, but I had a little look at the pin. I hit a hook shot around (the trees) from 230 yards with a 4-iron onto the green. Then I made an eagle with a 40-foot putt."

That hole only helped increase Anderson's confidence.

"I was definitely hitting the ball to all the places I wanted too," he said. "You have to hit the ball from one place to another. I thought I played pretty well.

"I was driving the ball well and putting well - those were the two keys."

Also counting scores for the Corsairs were Evan Schaefer (77), Jack Herron (78) and Michael Pelfresne (80).

The sacrifice Justin Park made seemed like a winning decision for Vernon Hills. He gave up a chance at attending Saturday's homecoming fun with the idea of maintaining his focus for the sectional. It seemed to be well worth it, as Park carded a 73 which included a 39 on the front and a 34 (with birdies on 10 and 15) on his back nine.

"I knew that this coming Monday was something special with this being my last year here," said Park, who got in some practice at Old Orchard on Saturday. "It mentally prepared me and it paid off today.

The other counting scores for the Cougars came from Brian Favia (79), Joey Levitan (81) and Brendan Wise (85).

It will be Vernon Hills' fourth state trip in the last five years. Last year, the Cougars needed a fifth score to get out of the sectional on their way to a fourth-place state finish.

"We were very fortunate," Vernon Hills coach Shawn Healy said. "The sectional is always tight. Hats off to Carmel for taking it. We got off to good start. In the middle of the front nine, we had some shots that got away from us. In a tournament like this, when you know it's going to be a long day, you have to keep your stamina and focus. We were able to keep the focus all the way through."

Marmion Academy ended in a tie with St. Francis for the third spot; Marmion advanced on the fifth score, which was an 83 from Austen Velazquez. The top four Cadets scores came from Nicholas Huggins (78), Jimmy Morton (79), Sean Reagen (82) and Peter Thayer (83).

"We're very happy and very proud," said Marmion Academy coach Mike Rodriguez, whose team dropped from 3A to 2A this year. "There were strong players with some strong teams, and we held our own."

The advancing individuals included Luke Ambrust of St. Francis with a 72, Kaneland's Brett Glennon (75), Burlington Central's Joe Sherman (75), Aurora Central Catholic's Mac Cowen (75), Dixon's Cole Ruckman (75), Sterling's Nick Ceruzzi (76), St. Viator's Nolan Doherty (77), Kaneland's Jake Hed (78), St. Viator's Timmy Crawford (79) and North Shore Country Day's Peter Miles (79).

"I was able to hit a lot of greens," said Ambrust, who didn't have a birdie but allowed only two bogeys in his round. "It was a lot fun. I think the amount of greens I hit helped me get a 72 today. It was kind of a grind out there. I was trying not to make a lot of mistakes. I was trying to get some birdies, but nothing came my way."

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