Boys golf: Lafferty defeats Marshall on scorecard playoff at Batavia

Will Marshall hoped to settle the matter on the golf course at Pheasant Run on Saturday afternoon.

But it was not to be for the Kaneland senior.

Downers Grove North senior Aidan Lafferty fired a 3-under 33 on the back nine of the par-72 St. Charles layout to forge the same 2-under total Marshall authored earlier.

But Lafferty was declared the individual champion at the 20-school Batavia Invitational via a birdie on the 18th hole in a scorecard tiebreaker.

Marshall, who had identical nine-hole sides of 35 to forge his 70 at the boys golf tournament, had to settle for runner-up as the result of his par on the last hole.

"I was looking forward to a playoff," Marshall said. "But (the tiebreaker was) understandable. Congratulations to the champion."

Ironically, the two seniors both finished in fifth place at their state tournaments last fall.

Lafferty tied Mac McClear, the Iowa-bound leader for six-time defending Class 3A state champion Hinsdale Central, in Bloomington last season.

Marshall was solo fifth for the Knights in the Class 2A state finals in Normal last October.

"(Pheasant Run) is very tight," Lafferty said. "It demands accuracy off the tee. Overall, I played pretty well and was happy with the performance I put up."

"It was brutal conditions, windy and chilly," Marshall said. "I'm just trying to take it one shot at a time and enjoy my last season with the team."

Marshall had a memorable week as the Knights' two-time all-stater also orally committed to Nebraska.

Gabe Larson led the field with 6 birdies, only to settle for third place with his 1-under 71.

But the Larson anchor score powered yet another regular-season triumph for the indomitable Hinsdale Central program.

Seeking to match the Normal U-High record of seven consecutive state championships this fall, the Red Devils turned back West Suburban Silver rival Glenbard West 303-308 to win the team title.

Minooka was third at 315; Benet was awarded fourth over Lake Park and Downers North on the fifth-card tiebreaker after the three schools finished at 316.

"The wind makes the course a lot harder," said Larson, who was complemented by Josh Lundmark (75) and McClear (76). "I kept the ball in front of me. That's why I scored the way I did today."

Glenbard West had equally consistent scores as junior Colin Malec, freshman John Wild and No. 1 player Griffin Rosich all fired 76s for the Hilltoppers.

Malec and Wild were seventh and eighth, respectively, after the tiebreaker was applied.

It was yet another exasperating defeat at the hands of Hinsdale Central for the Hilltoppers.

"They're a great team," Malec said. "They have a lot of depth. They're making all the shots. I like this course; it suits my game well. I hit the ball straight. It all worked out."

Charlie Schuster paced fourth-place Benet with a 77.

Jordan Fischer was the low man with a 76 for Lake Park, a reigning Class 3A state qualifier.

Wheaton Warrenville South edged York for eighth place as Jason Prince and Dhilan Desai had a 77 and 79 for the Tigers.

Josh LaBounty was the sole player to break 80 for York with his 77.

Geneva seeks a fourth straight Class 3A state berth this fall. But the Vikings must find a way to steer clear of inconsistency.

After winning the South Elgin Invitational earlier this week at Elgin Country Club behind Baylor-bound senior Tyler Isenhart, who was medalist with a 68, Geneva (320) had to settle for seventh place.

Isenhart, owner of back-to-back third-place finishes at the state finals, was polished once again with the lone 73 posted on the day.

The Isenhart 1-over total was worth fourth place.

"I couldn't really get many putts to fall," Isenhart said. "Overall, (my score) definitely could have been a lot better. (My season) has been up and down. I had a couple of rounds I would have liked to have played better. I had no bogeys (at Elgin CC). That's a solid round."

Jack McDonald, also a three-time state qualifier for Geneva, had an 80.

Kaneland (323) was 10th as Ryan Milton, who cracked the top 20 at the Class 2A finals last fall as a freshman, had a 76 for the Knights.

"This was probably the toughest conditions we have had all year in a tournament," Milton said.

Longtime Batavia participants St. Charles East and St. Charles North posted respective team scores of 332 and 341.

Casey Makowski had a 78 for the Saints; Tanay Abichandani fired an 83 to lead the North Stars.

Ryan Vanderway, one of them most accomplished players in West Aurora program history, had the third-lowest score, a 77, among Fox Valley participants.

"This year I have played really well," said Vanderway, who has both qualified for state and earned Upstate Eight Valley player of the year twice. "I always love coming to play this tournament. I had a good time. If you have a good time, you can't have too bad of a day."

The Blackhawks collectively finished with a 363.

Will Huber had an 80 to lead the host Bulldogs.

The top players for Marmion were at a separate tournament; the Cadets' second varsity unit finished at 366.