Boys golf: Kaneland wins 3rd straight regional championship
Many simply love watching good golf regardless of who is playing it.
Marmion coach Russ Huggins had a lot more reasons to love watching it during Monday's Class 2A Sandwich regional at Edgebrook Country Club, as he had his own team to coach and root for, his three nephews who play for Aurora Central Catholic and his alma mater Kaneland.
What a day it was for Huggins as all three teams advanced to next Monday's Class 2A Burlington Central sectional as the Cadets and Knights both carded a 323 and the Chargers followed in third place with a 333. The teams move on to the sectional at Whisper Creek Golf Course in Huntley.
"I was for sure hoping that our teams made it, especially with us going down to 2A (from 3A)," Huggins said. "I didn't want to bump someone out, especially with our crosstown rival and with family involved. It's always fun to compete against those guys."
Kaneland was crowned regional champions for the third straight season by way of a tiebreaker, which took the fifth-best score from the Knights and Cadets that coincidentally was provided by the older brother of a player who led or tied for the team's best score.
Kaneland sophomore Josh Pehl was medalist with a 75 and his junior brother Lucas Pehl's 86 broke the tie with Marmion as it bested senior Dominick Czerwinski's 89 whose younger brother, sophomore Ethan Czerwinski, carded an 80 with teammates Aaron Munson and Charlie Burke.
"I started out rusty and couldn't hit a shot, but once I got to the back nine I was hitting everything really smoothly, everything clicked," Josh Pehl said. "It feels good to win. It's a team sport and that's why I like high school golf so much. We're all trying to do it for each other."
It also felt pretty darned good to win a regional title.
Pehl became the fifth consecutive Kaneland golfer to win regional medalist honors, following Jake Hed (2015) and Will Marshall (2016-2018).
"I've had a couple close ones before," he said. "I tied for first in one of the tournaments and lost on a scorecard playoff so this one feels good, but helping out the team is always the most important part."
Bryce Stair (81), Cody Ganzon (82) and Michael Partoll (85) all contributed key rounds for the regional champions who fought through the wet playing conditions all morning and afternoon, but persevered.
"We can never complain about course conditions because everyone is playing the same course," Kaneland coach Mark Meyer said. "I kept telling them to not let that get into their head."
Huggins also had to remind his kids to keep their mental games in check due to the poor course conditions.
"We're young and inexperienced without any competitive golfers other than Charlie Burke, so that was a concern," Huggins said. "They guys have been on the team but they're not at it all year like Charlie so it as nice to see the younger guys play well today."
Senior Nathan Turco led the Chargers with a 79 while junior John Wojcik (81), Austin Miller (84) and Shane Miller (89) also contributed. The Millers, triplets with brother Ryan Miller who did not compete, are Huggins' nephews.
"We feel relieved," Chargers coach Mike Cowen said about advancing as a team. "We've had a really good year, winning conference and beating St. Francis and Wheaton Academy. We knew we were one of those teams on the bubble with Sycamore and Morris. It was a really solid day and I think we're all relieved. After the season we've had, to not get in would have been tough, and this was a tough regional."
Aurora Central was just three strokes ahead of Morris and Sycamore who tied for fourth place at 335.
Burlington Central sophomore Tyson Malak (77). who tied for second overall, advanced along with junior Tyler DiDomenico. The Rockets finished in sixth place with a 346.
"I didn't have any birdies," Malak said. "I think I did what I needed to do and am happy to move on with Tyler."
Genoa-Kingston didn't have any individuals advance, closing its season with a 385.