Beecher
Key losses: Mike Walsh, Keegan Short.
Golfers to watch: Michael Barber, So.; Zach Aring, Sr.; Bill Dwyer, Sr.; Jeremy Perkins, Sr.; Nick Hermanson, Sr.
Outlook: Barber’s help in earning Beecher its first regional title since 1984 was just the start for him, it appears. Could his talent, and a cadre of talented seniors, carry the Bobcats to the Class 1A championship round? It would be a Beecher first.
Quote: “They have to play to their potential, which they’re starting to do. We talk about minimizing errors and knowing where your mistakes are an awful lot. Position and course management is always part of the conversation.” !~ coach David Serafin
Bloom Township
Key losses: Dan Morsovillo, Brian Hankey.
Golfers to watch: none.
Outlook: The Blazing Trojans were fifth in last year’s Class 3A regional at Glenwoodie but will he hard-pressed to repeat that with Morsovillo and Hankey gone from the scene. Their four scorers averaged 57.25 for nine holes against Lincoln-Way North on Wednesday at Longwood.
Crete-Monee
Key losses: Mike Wojtanowski, Jeremy Horvath.
Golfers to watch: Miles Bailey, Sr.; Robert Russell, Sr.; Joe DeSpain, So.; Adam Kadich, Sr.
Outlook: Bailey’s been the standout player for the Warriors the last two years but hasn’t been able to advance past sectional play. Crete-Monee, conference champion since SICA South was renamed the Southland, could vie with Kankakee for this year’s title.
Quote: “Our guys are capable of the 80s and the 70s. And Joe DeSpain will carry us forward.” !~ coach Adam Hullinger
Homewood-Flossmoor
Key losses: Kevin Stoffle, Logan Lukasik, Nick Thiros, Jordan Pounder.
Golfers to watch: Austin Smith, Sr.; Joe Proby, Sr.; Alex Cueller, Jr.; Ted Wick, So.; Jack Mulligan, Fr.
Outlook: The Vikings may be a year away from making an impact in Class 3A, but they could rattle a few competitors this year, if everyone clicks at once. Mulligan and Wick were both in the 70s in IJGA competition, so the upperclassmen will not be alone.
Quote: “We have the potential, at least. Realistically, we’re talking 320 (for the top four), and on a good day, we’ve got a chance at 310.” !~ coach Chris Stiglic
Illiana Christian
Key losses: Braden Mulder, Elliott Chapman, Kylen Kemp.
Golfers to watch: Johnathan Zandstra, Sr.; Dan Lagestee, Sr.; Trevor Wheaton, Sr.; Chris Tempelman, Sr.; Jake Boender, Sr.; Matthew Zandstra, Fr.
Outlook: A high finisher since joining the Metro Conference, the Vikings will take a back seat to nobody this year. Jack Rudenga, in his 35th year as head coach, has one of his best teams, with the Zandstra brothers buttressed by Wheaton, Lagestee and Chris Templeman.
Quote: “We’ll have two low scores to start out with (with the Zandstras), and if other step up we’ll have a third and a fourth.” !~ coach Jack Rudenga
Marian Catholic
Key losses: Sean Rea, Terry Jarosky, Bill Hilger, Mitch Zavesky, Mike Bush.
Golfers to watch: Neil Doyle, Jr.; Matt Hershberger, Josh Pieck, Craig Zavesky, Garrett Zavesky.
Outlook: With five of six starters from last year’s regional champions gone, it will be difficult for Marian Catholic to repeat. Neil Doyle will have to raise his game and get help from his teammates, including the two Zavesky brothers.
Quote: “We should be competitive, but it will be difficult to repeat as a top three or four team, or as a regional champion.” !~ coach Jim Mendenhall
Mount Carmel
Key losses: Trent Hayes.
Golfers to watch: Ryan Hernandez, Sr.; Louis Vitiritti, Sr.; Nick Murray, Sr.; Rich Fordon, Jr.; Luke Hayes, Fr.
Outlook: New coach Rex Martin has the luxury of four returnees from last year’s top six in Hernandez, Vitiritti, Murray and Fordon. He also has depth, with Hayes and Neal Hoglund expected to challenge for regular spots in the lineup.
Quote: “The pride factor comes into play with seniors. The younger guys will push them.” !~ Martin
T.F. North
Key losses: Andrew Swibes, Jack Sitarski.
Golfer to watch: Dennis Minefee, Sr.; Sam Bomba, So.; Juan Gutierrez, Jr.
Outlook: Minefee was the only player to break 100 at the T.F. South Invitational and is the only returnee of those who qualified for sectional play last year. Gutierrez was an all-South Suburban Conference selection in 2011.
Quote: "We're looking at the younger kids stepping up." !~ coach Chad Spilde
T.F. South
Key losses: none.
Golfers to watch: Justin Pasko, Sr.; Josh Crosby, Jr.; Maggie Sloan, Fr.
Outlook: The addition of Sloan, the lone female golfer in the school, and the improvement of Crosby from last year should boost the Rebels considerably. Sloan’s 87 led T.F. South in its invitational at Balmoral Woods on Tuesday.
Quote: “If we finish in the top three in our conference, we’ll have a real good season, and I think we have the potential to do that,” !~ coach Matt Johnson
Washington
Key losses: none.
Golfers to watch: Dominic Uzeras, Sr.; Jamie Martinez, Jr.; Javanny Trinidad, Jr.
Outlook: The Public League schedule isn’t even out, its release delayed by a new qualifying system that will slot golf teams after a qualifying tournament next week. That leaves coach John Walton wondering who he’ll play and where the matches will be held.
Quote: “We’ll be competitive unless we play the select-enrollment schools, like Lincoln Park, who can afford to go to Cog Hill.” !~ Walton
!~ Compiled by Tim Cronin
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