Boys golf: Carmel's Penfresne tops the field at Mundelein regional

Playing golf on a wet course has its challenges and advantages. For Michael Pelfresne of Carmel, he needed 19 holes to become the top medalist in the Class 3A boys regional hosted by Mundelein at Steeple Chase Golf Club in Mundelein on Tuesday.

Lake Forest was the regional champion with a 299, while Libertyville (305) and Mundelein (308) each qualified for the Palatine sectional to be played at Palatine Hills golf course on Monday. The Mustangs needed a fifth-score tiebreaker (82-91) in earning the final team spot over Carmel (308).

Pelfresne ended in a tie with Mundelein's Colin Wade as each golfer carded a 1-under par 71 on the 6,466 yard course.

On the playoff hole, which was on the 526-yard 18th hole, Pelfresne reached the green in three with a 125-yard shot using a pitching wedge, going just past the hole sticking the shot. He then left his 15-foot birdie putt short and finished with a par.

Wade saw his third shot come up short of the green and plugged into the turf before the green. There was a lift, clean and place rule because of the conditions. He then left his fourth shot about eight feet from the hole. His putt edged off the cup and out, taking a bogey 6.

"It was pretty intense. I thought about switching out my routine from the first time I played it," Pelfresne said. "I didn't like the number on the approach shot the first time. I was hoping the ball would come back, because I know there's a slope there. When it stuck, I saw guys in my group hit that putt and felt confident I could put it in. I just came up a little short and made par."

Pelfresne had his best 18-hole round of the season.

"The key was to stay mentally calm," Pelfresne added. "Regionals and tournaments like these are really long. Long days and started off the day with eight pars. I was hoping to pick it up on the back nine. I birdied (10) and felt strong after that, just kept going with it."

Wade had a good round with six birdies, bogey and one double bogey, but enjoyed dealing with the wet conditions on the course.

"It was super wet and my goal was to fly the ball next to the stick," Wade said. "I trusted myself and hoped it would stick. Then I was able to make some putts. I was just going after the flag, because the ball won't roll out. If you get aggressive at the flag, you can shoot some low scores."

Lake Forest was the top team with its four scorers, Sam Davis (72), Danny Fisher (75), Patrick Moorhead and Charlie Haggarty each (76s).

Libertyville posted a 312 in the North Suburban Conference meet last week at Willow Glen. The Wildcats improved by seven shots earning a trip to the sectional for the first time in several years. Danny Keating (74) led the way, followed by Derek Calamari (75), James Schmidt (77) and Jason Ross (79).

"We've always had individuals, but this is great to make it as a team," Libertyville coach Sean Matthews said. "I've got six really good golfers and they can all stay in the 70s. It's a matter if they can jell together and they've been starting to do that in the last three to four weeks, which is a good time to do it."

Mundelein made its way into the sectional by the tiebreaking score. Outside of Wade's outstanding round, Josh Peterson added a 76, followed by Tanner Anderson (80) and Anthony Heelan (81).

"Obviously, it was a great regional, four teams played really well," Mundelein coach Todd Parola said. "We're very fortunate to get out. We were really solid with our high score being 82. Our guys were consistent and we had the low number from Colin that put us over the edge."

The other individuals outside of the teams advancing to the sectional included Carmel's Michael Wattelet (73) and Clint Bailes (76). Four Warren golfers moved on led by Kevin Borbath (80). Steffen Nerheim (81), Garrett Porter (82) and Grant Maresea (83) also advanced.

"I thought my front was much better than the back," Borbath said. "I thought I putted very well, my irons shots and driving were very good. I just had a couple of mistakes on the back. There were a lot big divots and it was very wet. I feel like I play well in wet conditions."

Others moving on included Zion-Benton's Kade Koesser (83), as well as Lake Zurich's Alec Rosenbaum (80) and Jason Czabaj (83).

"My round felt good and I got off to a really good start," said Rosenbaum, who had a 38 on the front. "Then I started out the back fairly well until I hit a rough patch going into 15. I went bogey, bogey and then double. Going into 18, I hit it out of play, but made a par save for the 80. My score fits for the high school season. But, it's below my average and I'm happy with that. Although it was a bad finish, it was a great round overall."