LOCKPORT — Two-time defending Class 3A state champion Hinsdale Central gave another example Monday on how deep its talent pool runs.
Junior Grant Labedz, the team’s No. 6 golfer, shot a 1-over 73 at the Hinsdale Central Sectional and counted as one of the Red Devils’ four scorers. Hinsdale Central booked another trip to the state meet beginning Friday at the Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington.
“What helps about us is that we have six guys where it always goes well,” Labedz said. “We have guys that always play pretty well and can post a good number. That’s what separates us from the rest of the teams in the state.”
Labedz was a member of Hinsdale Central’s JV team last year that won the West Suburban Silver. This year, his best round was 2-under 70 at the Batavia Invitational.
Labedz dropped from an 82 at the Hinsdale South Regional to a 73 at the sectional even though both were played at Prairie Bluff Golf Club in Lockport.
In other previous meets this season at Prairie Bluff, Labedz shot a 73 at the Red Devil Invite and a 71 for fifth place at the conference meet.
“This is a course where any given day, the course can play nice or it can play tough,” Labedz said. “It depends on what the weather is. This is a notorious tough course when it’s windy. Today the wind was placid.”
Last week’s second-place finish at regionals to Lyons was the Devils’ only defeat of the season. Hinsdale Central coach Jess Krueger hopes his players learned their lessons as they go for their third-straight state title.
“They still need to know they need to earn it,” Krueger said. “Maybe last week [runner-up to Lyons] they were thinking [winning was easy]. They still need to play. Maybe they can carry this momentum into state.”
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When it comes to tiebreakers, Lyons senior Jon Hudson has Brendan O’Reilly beat.
For the second consecutive week, Hudson defeated the Hinsdale Central sophomore in a tie-breaker playoff. Just like at last week’s regional, Hudson won by two strokes.
Both players parred the first playoff hole at No. 10 Monday at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional at Prairie Bluff in Lockport. After enduring a rain delay, the Iowa State-bound Hudson then put down a par on 18 to snag the sectional championship .
“I made good decisions,” said O’Reilly, who carded three consecutive birdies at Nos. 15-17 to finish regulation with a 3-under 68. “It’s a scoreable course, but you still have to keep the ball in play and let the putts fall.”
Hinsdale Central sophomore Brian Dolehide tied for fourth with a 70, while junior Drew Shepherd had a 73.
“I love playing at the Den,” O’Reilly said. “I love to play for the team. I know it will be huge and it’s something you’ll remember for the rest of your life.”
