NEW LENOX — Hinsdale Central coach Nick Latorre knows his team pretty well.
Looking at the roster, Latorre realizes he doesn’t necessarily have one golfer who could come out of nowhere with a mid-60s score.
Instead, the Red Devils have six golfers capable of scoring in the 70s day in and day out.
It was that team makeup that aided Hinsdale Central Monday as Hinsdale Central won the Class AA Lincoln-Way Central Sectional at the Sanctuary Golf Club in New Lenox.
“That’s kind of been our M.O. this year,” Latorre said. “We don’t have anybody who is going to shoot a 66. We do have six girls who can shoot in the 70s and that has been a good formula for us. It’s worked so far and hopefully we can continue it for another week.”
Hinsdale Central led the field with a 304, defeating Sandburg (310) and Waubonsie Valley (314) for the team title. Those three teams advance to the state tournament this Friday and Saturday at Hickory Point Golf Club in Forsyth.
“It’s really special for us,” Hinsdale Central’s Jessica Lee said. “We did it last year so we want to keep up the tradition. We win by six, barely winning, so it shows us the good and bad. We have stiff competition still and have to keep working hard.”
It was the program’s fourth straight sectional title. Lee posted the low score for the Red Devils, a 72.
“With a short course, I was driving really well,” the sophomore said. “My wedges were really good. I was putting shots close where all I had to do was two-putt and keep par. My irons were there, and my putting came along.”
Rounding out the team score for Hinsdale Central were Danielle Smith (74), Selina Zeng (77) and Roshannah Gaur (81).
A heavy rain hit the course for 30 minutes around noon with golfers forced to work through the less-than-ideal conditions.
“It shows our girls were able to grind it out some,” Latorre said. “Good scores, a good win, and we have got depth. That’s the strength of our team. Our freshman (Gaur) ended up as our fourth score. That’s one thing we’re blessed with, six girls who can contribute at any time. That came through today.”
