Boys golf: York claims title at Batavia Invitational
Josh LaBounty was far more pleased with the team effort by York than any individual accolades he may have earned Saturday at Pheasant Run.
As a result, there could very well be a changing of the guard on the local boys golf scene.
Not to mention at the state level as well.
LaBounty toured the par-72 layout in St. Charles with a 2-under 70 total as the York senior, bound for Northern Illinois University, was the anchor of the superlative effort by the Dukes in their team-title-claiming performance.
"It was a well-fought day," LaBounty said after York was collectively 3-over par in its dominant 291-299 win over West Suburban Silver rival and seven-time defending Class 3A state champion Hinsdale Central. "We all played like we wanted to win. It relieves a lot of pressure off you if you know you are playing your best (as a team)."
Zach Sutter and Connor Polomsky were equally solid for the Dukes in their matching 1-over rounds of 73.
"I feel like every guy on our team has the ability to shoot a low round," Polomsky said.
Sutter, a returning state qualifier, credited intelligent play on his round.
"I managed the course well," Sutter said. "I definitely could have made a couple of putts to get under par. But I'm not going to complain about being 1-over.
Matt Buckley was the Dukes' fourth man with a 75.
"We have a lot talent," York coach Jim Borel said. "We have had some nice teams the last six or eight years."
Hinsdale Central secured second place on a fifth-card tiebreaker.
John Cornell had a 78 for the Red Devils to turn back Lyons Township, and DeKalb for runner-up.
Michael Stitzer was the low man for Hinsdale Central, the co-record holder with Normal U-High for most consecutive state championships, with a 73.
DeKalb senior Jack Paeglow defeated LaBounty in a scorecard playoff to win medalist honors.
Glenbard West continued the Silver trend of excellence with its fifth-place 305. John Wild was fourth with a 1-under 71.
"York was outstanding today," Glenbard West coach Paul Hezlett said. "(Wild) hasl consistently been at par or under par."
Batavia senior Ari Fragen defeated Wild for third overall by becoming the fourth player in red numbers.
"I made three really good up-and-downs coming in," said Fragen. "I think the difference today was with my putting."
Fragen almost chipped-in for birdie on No. 18.
"That would have won me the tournament," Fragen said of the ultimate tiebreaker.
St. Charles North junior Alex Lilly continued his strong play as well with an even-par 72 for the North Stars.
But St. Charles East had more balance to finish sixth at 310.
"It was a good week for us," St. Charles East coach John Stock said after a tournament win at the Class 3A state finals course in Bloomington and a DuKane Conference triangular sweep. "But we have to get better. There were a lot of good scores out there today. We improved 19 shots on the same course (at the Geneva Invitational) 10 days (actually nine) ago."
Jake Daeschler had a 73 for the Saints.
Kaneland won the Geneva Invitational, but the Knights had to settle for seventh place at 311.
Bryce Stair fired a 78, with the Knights' Ryan Milton and brothers Josh and Lucas Pehl claiming 79s.
"I thought - with perfect scoring conditions - we would have shot a better score," Kaneland coach Mark Meyer said. "I think the kids would have told you the same thing. But we have a lot more depth than we did a year ago."
Charlie Burke also had a round to remember to offset Marmion not competing at its highest level.
"He's only 15 years old," Marmion coach Russ Huggins said of Burke. "I mean, seven birdies (on his round) says it all."
"I was making a lot of putts," said Burke, who said playing with Paeglow was a comforting feeling. "I was the lowest among the 73s (good for eighth overall). This will give me a lot of confidence leading this team to the regional."