Boys golf: Doherty eager to lead another big St. Viator season

St. Viator senior Nolan Doherty got his first taste of state finals competition when he advanced to the tourney as a sophomore in 2016.

Doherty posted a solid performance at that meet - he shot 78 on the first day and finished up with a 2-day total of 159, good for 35th position overall. But the senior said the experience of advancing to state last season as a junior, along with his teammates, was much more rewarding.

The Lions qualified to go downstate as a team last year, and Doherty helped lead them to a second-place state finish, putting up some sensational numbers.

In round one at the Class 2A finals at Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State, he posted 5 birdies enroute to an even-par 71.

On day 2 he excelled again with a 76, finishing tied for 10th place individually, and that performance paced Viator to the runner-up team trophy as the Lions finished just behind winner Charleston.

"It was an awesome experience," said Doherty. "It was different having everyone there and working as a team. You're thinking about four scores to count rather than just yourself.

"You feel like you want to go out and shoot a low round to help the team, and not let the guys down."

The fact that Doherty, who has medaled in numerous 18-hole tourneys over his last two seasons on varsity, has been counted among the best golfers in the state the last two years comes as no surprise to Viator coach Jack Halpin.

"Nolan has been an absolute joy to coach," said Halpin. "He's polite, respectful of all of his teammates and coaches, and he's always willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. He listens, he's a quiet leader and a hard worker, and he has all the attributes it takes to be successful in golf and in life.

"His parents, Ed and Sue, have been the perfect example of what it takes to be a parent of a junior golfer. They're there to give him all the support that they can, but at the same time staying in the background and not pushing him. It's a tough mix but they've got it all figured out."

The talent and drive of Doherty - who says he has gained about 15-20 yards distance off the tee this year - should translate into another highly successful campaign for the Lions, and they've already gotten off to a hot start by winning the Rolling Green Invitational over the likes of Loyola and Glenbrook North.

Just like both Friday and Saturday last year at state, Viator carded 4 scores in the 70s at Rolling Green - a 70 from Timmy Crawford (medalist honors), 73s by Doherty and Ryan O'Grady and a 77 from EJ Reisinger.

Not a bad beginning to the year at the difficult Arlington Heights course.

"Over the years we've been blessed with some great golfers," said Halpin, "and Nolan and Timmy are as good as I've ever seen. Both are solid tee to green. Timmy really bombs the ball and Nolan isn't far behind. Nolan has always had a very solid short game and Timmy has improved that facet of his game over the summer."

Doherty has been putting in an impressive effort not only on the golf course but also in the classroom the last few years, and that hard work has paid off in a big way as the senior will be headed to Loyola University next fall to study business and play for the Ramblers.

He said that as a fan he's going to soak up the sports-themed atmosphere that is prevailing on the Loyola campus after the Ramblers' stirring men's basketball run to the final-four last year, in addition to making his own mark on the sports program on the links.

For now, however, Doherty has set some goals for the Lions this season.

"I want to help our team get back downstate and win," he said. "It would have been nice to take it last year, but Charleston just put up some amazing scores."

Doherty, a member of the National Honor Society, will also be counted on to be one of the leaders this year as he's been appointed team captain.

"(I see my role) as trying to keep the team positive, help guys out when they're struggling, and overall just set a good example," said Doherty.

Something that Halpin has no doubt that will occur, as the long-time coach says that Doherty - along with stellar teammate Crawford - are serious contenders for the individual state crown this year as well.

Viator has boasted a lot of success in recent years. The Lions won the Class 3A state tournament as a team three consecutive seasons (2007-09), and they've had individual champs in Joe Carlson in 2008 and Danny Stringfellow in 2009.

Carlson still holds the Class 3A individual record at 7-under par, but Halpin understands that his current nucleus has the talent to possibly reach the same lofty heights.

He also knows that his high-character athletes currently on the roster will leave their own legacy on the Lions program.

"These are two wonderful young men," said Halpin of Doherty and Crawford. "They are both involved in service work at St. Viator. They are true leaders and are always here to help their teammates."