Boys golf: Glenbrook South punches ticket to state
It was a reversal of fortune for Connor O'Hara Monday at the Conant Class 3A boys golf sectional.
Last year the Glenbrook South junior, in heartbreaking fashion, lost in a sectional playoff, missing out on a chance to advance to the state tournament.
This season's result was a little different and quite a bit more exciting, to say the least.
O'Hara will be moving on to this weekend's state meet at Bloomington - along with his Titans teammates - after firing an excellent round of 76.
That score helped Glenbrook South, which fell just short of a team advancement to state last year as well, qualify for the year's final tourney at the Den at Fox Creek Golf Course.
The Titans earned third place and a spot in Bloomington with a score of 301. Glenbrook North, last year's state champs, was second at 299, while New Trier won the tournament at 286.
Loyola was fourth at 302, just one stroke behind the Titans. After O'Hara finished his round (but before the final results were recorded), the junior reflected on what it would mean to him to advance to this weekend's competition.
"Ever since that day," said O'Hara of last season's disappointment, "the main thing I've wanted was to go to state. To move on would mean everything to me, it's everything I've been working for."
Jason Gordon of Glenbrook North and Nicolas Simon from Conant will also have the chance to continue the success they enjoyed in 2021 in Bloomington.
Gordon, the individual state champ last season, was second at Bridges of Poplar Creek with a 2-under 68.
Simon, a junior, was 5th in state last season as a sophomore and Monday, he qualified at the Cougars sectional with a 75 - but wasn't totally happy with his day.
"It started out good," he said, "and I'm not really an excuse guy at all and this is not an excuse, but I had some really bad breaks. Bounces that didn't go my way, right behind trees, on lips of bunkers where a foot or two in either direction would have been fine."
Despite the bad bounces at Poplar, he said that he's extremely happy to be moving on.
"It means a lot," added Simon, "to get back downstate and compete with the best."
Glenbrook North's advancement included scores of 73 from Robby O'Regan, 78 by Eli Myers, and 80 by Alex Lee.
Three additional local golfers will make the trip to the Den as individuals for Friday and Saturday's festivities.
Ryan Belz of Maine South shot 75, Hawks teammate James Rourke will advance with a 77, as will Antonio Gutierrez of Conant, who also carded a 77.
Other area participants, while not among the qualifiers, also excelled at Poplar.
Nico Haber had the top score for Rolling Meadows, a 77, while Josh Lahner paced Lake Park with 78.
Daniel Allegretti from Maine South posted a 79; Jayden Lim from Hoffman Estates shot 80, as did Tyler Wengronowitz of Meadows.
In addition to O'Hara, counting scores for state-bound Glenbrook South were senior Chase Blanchard (74), Nick Ventura (74, a round that included four birdies), Jeffrey Kim (77) and Kevin Schuh (77).
"This is so special for me to be going to state as a senior along with my team," said Blanchard. "Next year it'll hopefully be the same, as we have a lot of good juniors this year. This is a great thing for the program."