Boys golf: Fritz, Waubonsie Valley capture Aurora city titles

Phillips Park club professional Jeff Schmidt was admittedly far from generous when setting up the pin placements for the Aurora City Tournament on Wednesday.

But Waubonsie Valley senior Jacob Fritz had his eyes on the top prize.

"I hit a 6-iron with a draw (right-to-left) over the tree," Fritz said of his second shot to the par-5 closing hole of the par-71 Aurora layout. "I put it about five feet from the hole. It was a very slippery putt."

Fritz found the back of the cup, however, to play his final two holes in 3-under par to cement a 2-shot victory over Metea Valley sophomore Aman Shah to win the boys golf tournament with a 72.

The players' individual dual was also a harbinger of the team title.

Waubonsie Valley, the defending city champion, and Metea Valley were deadlocked after their top-three scores were recorded.

Nolan Schweiger, however, came home with an 80 for the Warriors to turn back Metea Valley 311-314.

Marmion (324) was third, followed by Aurora Central Catholic (328), West Aurora (352), IMSA (370) and Aurora Christian (453).

The Schweiger round was particularly noteworthy after the Warriors' fifth man, who carded a 79, was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard.

"I didn't know (the significance of my score) until I walked up to the (18th) green," Schweiger said. "Everyone was asking, 'What'd you shoot? What'd you shoot?'"

"I am very happy with my round," Fritz said. "I play here all the time. I like this track."

Kenton Esch and Will Troy, the Warriors' senior who recently committed to Illinois State University, had respective rounds of 79 and 80 for Waubonsie Valley.

The Warriors' balance and depth was needed to overcome a determined Metea Valley squad that also featured senior Scott Madland firing the third-lowest score, a 76.

"The pin placements today were pretty tough," Shah said. "That was kind of a surprise."

Madland said his final result was the product of a seasoned player.

"The key was staying patient on the greens," Madland said. "I hit the ball really well."

Marmion sophomore Charlie Burke continued his strong play in leading Marmion once again in a tournament round.

But the Cadets' leader could only wonder what might have been after falling victim to the treacherous pins.

"I was actually not pleased with my round," said Burke, who snared fifth, the final all-city medal, on a scorecard tiebreaker with Esch.

"I 5-putted the eighth hole," said Burke, who was 1-over 36 on his inward nine to finish with a 79. "I had 3-putts on five or six other holes."

The Cadets' renowned rival, Aurora Central Catholic, certainly had their games focused on Marmion as the two teams will compete at the same Class 2A regional next month in Sandwich.

ACC senior leader Nathan Turco finished in a four-way tie for seventh with his team-best 80; he discovered little love, however, in his pre-round practice session on his home course.

"It was probably the worst warm-up session all year," Turco said "It was a little bit tough mentally going out there after shanking it and chunking it on the range."

The Catholic schools' almost identical talent pools were unveiled at the city meet as each program had two 81s - Adoni Sleezer and Ben Riner for the Cadets; Austin Miller and John Wojcik did likewise for the Chargers.

West Aurora senior Zac Uhm had the distinction of being the lone reigning regional champion in the field.

The Blackhawks' senior was in the seventh-place tie with his 9-over 80.

"I have been in a bit of a slump the last week," Uhm said. "I couldn't get anything going today and had a couple of bad breaks."

Noah Sommerville (87) paced Aurora Christian.