State Golf tournaments start
By Kent McDill
Illinois Content Coordinator
Leaves are starting to hit the ground, which means it is time for the state golf tournaments to get underway.
The boys regionals begin Tuesday in the three state classes, and the girls begin play Wednesday.
For the boys, the defending champions are St. Thomas More (Class 1A), six-time defending champion Normal University (Class 2A) and two-time defending champion St. Viator (Class 3A).
St. Thomas More remains one of the top teams in its area, Normal University has tangled with Normal West, which won the Big 12 Conference tournament last week.
St. Viator, meanwhile, lost to Carmel in the East Suburban Catholic Conference by one stroke last week.
Other schools claiming conference titles last week include Naperville North, Neuqua Valley, Minooka, Yorkville, and Wheaton Academy. Mahomet-Seymour won the Class 2A tournament each of the six years, while Benton, Fieldcrest and Tremont had breakout seasons.
There are five regionals in each class. Finals are Oct. 16-17 in Bloomington for Class 1A and Class 3A and at Illinois State University in Normal for Class 2A.
Two of the three individual titlists from last season return. David Flynn of Wheaton Academy won the 2A title in 2008 while Joe Carlson won the 3A title last year.
For the girls, Effingham St. Anthony is the defending champion in Class 1A, and Marion is the defending champion in Class 2A. Effingham has won two consecutive titles.
In Class 1A, Bloomington Central Catholic returns three players from last year’s third place team, which gives them title aspirations.
Conference title teams last week included West Central, Robinson, St. Charles East and Batavia.
The defending Class 2A champion is Kris Yoo of Conant, who is back for her senior year.
The girls Class 1A finals are to be played in Carterville, Ill., while the Class 2A finals will be in Carbondale.
Comments: