By Bob Narang
The golf scene is exploding in the Chicago area.
One of few sports and leisure activities that bodes well for competition amid a global pandemic, the sport of golf is thriving.
With football and girls volleyball among the high school sports pushed back into the early part of 2021, the boys and girls high school golf teams are enjoying hitting the links.
Hinsdale Central High School boys head golf coach Jess Krueger said his program will play only West Suburban Conference (WSC) Silver Division teams this Fall. The Red Devils had their State record streak of seven State championships in a row snapped last season, when they finished in seventh place in the Class 3A, largest-school, tournament.
“We’ve managed to stay within our bubble as a team and a conference,” Krueger said. “We will get a lot of looks at each other in our conference. It will be interesting what they (Illinois High School Association) do for regionals (alignment). We’re not sure what that will look like. Maybe they will do it virtual.”
York is one of the top area teams through the first few weeks of the season. The Dukes took fourth place fourth last season at State, but lost two of their top performers through graduation in Joshua LaBounty and Matthew Buckley.
The Dukes haven’t missed a beat, though. They won a four-team quad Saturday, by defeating Lyons, Glenbard West, and Hinsdale Central.
“We’re pretty talented,” York head coach Jim Borel said. “This junior and senior class is pretty talented. The frosh-soph is not devoid of talent. The future looks pretty bright and should be exciting for the next three or four years.”
At the top of the heap for the Dukes is the play of senior Sam Bartolone, who tied for meet medalist last weekend with 72 at the four-team quad. He tied a program record for most under par in a nine-hole match by shooting four-under par 31 against Downers Grove South August 25.
“I used to put a lot of pressure on myself,” Bartolone said. “I wasn’t playing to have fun anymore, so I kind of loosened up this season and trusted my games. The results are showing. This is my last year playing with the boys, so I want to have fun playing with my friends. I’m just trying to have a good time. It’s my last year. I want to enjoy all that comes with high school golf.”
• On the girls side, Rosary in Aurora has senior Ashley Auchstetter shooting well. She earned medalist honors with 83 at the Aurora City Classic at Phillips Park August 26. Waubonsie Valley won the meet with 370. Kelly Cong paced the Warriors with 85, and Lilly Riley shot 89.