Boys golf: Fifth score tiebreak sends Huntley to sectional

Who says the fifth score doesn't matter?

Normally in high school golf, just the top four individuals count their scores toward the team total. But Monday, Huntley and Cary-Grove tied for third place at the Class 3A Dundee-Crown regional, with the top three teams qualifying for next week's sectional.

The Red Raiders claimed the final spot on the tiebreaker: the fifth score. Devin Bowker's 87 was good enough to put the Raiders into the sectional.

There was no such drama surrounding the first two team spots: DeKalb's 310 beat second-place Crystal Lake Central by 16 strokes. The Tigers, led by medalist Eric Klutke's 68, were 7 shots better than the Raiders and Trojans.

Jacobs was close behind in fifth at 335, followed by the host Chargers (344) and Hampshire (367) on a gorgeous fall day at Randall Oaks.

The Chargers' Matt McQuillen posted the third-best individual score with a 76.

"I was satisfied with (the round) because I had 36 putts," McQuillen said. "It could have been a lot better because my ball striking was on point. But it's good to get the win and go on to sectionals."

More drama ensued at the end, with a 3-man playoff for the final 2 individual spots. Jacobs' Jake Stone secured the first spot with a great 40-foot chip-in for a birdie on the second playoff hole.

On the next hole, D-C's Jake Russell tapped in for par to secure the final spot among the individuals whose teams did not qualify for the sectional.

Huntley was a model of consistency, with five scored in the 80s, led by Cole Modrich's 80. A highlight of his round came on the fifth hole.

"I hit a nice approach shot next to the green, chipped it on and made a birdie," he said.

The Trojans just missed qualifying but still posted a solid round overall, led by Trevor Beaugureau's 77, followed by Cole Seeger at 81 and Michael Greenhill at 83.

"I came here and I did what I needed to do," Beaugureau said. "I finished three over on the last two, but the three birdies I made in a row on five, six and seven really helped me early on and took the stress off. I was going pretty good today."

Jacobs was right behind in fifth with Andrew Rechsteiner's 80 leading the way.

"It seemed like my wedges were on today, but it wasn't really all there," he said. "I had some bad iron shots and some mistakes off some tees. Overall, it really wasn't my best round ever. Overall, I'm happy with my round. I think it's enough individually. I'm glad I was able to represent us here and at least one of us is going to move on."

Actually, the Golden Eagles will have four representatives at the sectional, with Kyle Schutt (82), Ryan Frantik (86) and Stone (87) joining Rechsteiner.

They will be joined by Hampshire's Bobby Stephenson, who qualified with an 81.

DeKalb's Jack Paeglow posted the only other sub-70 round with a 69. The consistent Barbs had 3 players below 80 with James Keck contributing a 77 and William Schimbke shooting 78.