Jacobs coach Gary Conrad’s goals for Tuesday’s Class 3A Geneva Regional were simple, just advance to sectional.
The Golden Eagles did him one better.
Jacobs won the regional title for the second straight season, shooting a 307 at Mill Creek.
Geneva (312) and Upstate Eight River champion St. Charles East (315) also advanced to Monday’s Class 3A Lake Forest Sectional at Lake Bluff Golf Course.
The Eagles were very consistent, with all four counting scores landing in the 70s, led by Tyler Barrett’s 75. Billy Walker (76), Justin Lenzini (77) and Joe Addante (79) rounded out the scoring for Jacobs.
“I think ultimately our goal was to get out of here,” Conrad said. “We set our sights high, so I thought we could win it. I know the course well, the boys all played it. I thought we had a shot. All we had to do was play consistent, make good choices off the tee and we came out with the win, which was great.”
Geneva shot a 332 at St. Andrews last week at the UEC River meet, but rebounded in a big way on its home course, besting that score by 20 strokes. Spencer Monroe was the medalist with a 74. Andrew Abel shot a 78, while Matt Fisher and Spencer Sharpe each carded 80s.
“Last week was rough because we just had a struggle at conference,” Geneva coach Eric Hatczel said. “The boys used that as motivation to get ready for this week. Obviously, it helps a lot that we were on our home course.”
Monroe said that he got a look at the course setup in terms of tee and pin placement Monday, and he took advantage of it Tuesday. Hatczel said that Monroe had been due for a good round, and he put his best round of the season together to earn medalist honors.
“I just kept it in the fairway, which is really what matters,” Monroe said. “It was nice to shoot such a nice number in this wind. It means a lot.”
St. Charles East shot three strokes better than last week’s run at conference, and the Saints needed every stroke to fend off Huntley for the final advancing slot. The Red Raiders placed fourth with a 318.
Ronnie Griggs paced East with a 77, followed by Daniel Haugen’s 78 and 80s from Mike Bertke and Colin Johnson.
Among the 10 players that advance to sectionals as individuals, four of them shot in the 70s. Huntley’s Trent Craig and Larkin’s Dan Lenz led the way with 75s. Danny Spoeth of Huntley shot a 76, with Larkin’s Jon Lenz firing a 79.
The rest of the individual qualifiers were Jake Muehlschlegel and Michael Stasczuk of St. Charles North, Josh Fougerousse of Dundee-Crown, Jake Grabner of Huntley, Chase Pantle of Streamwood and Erik Dauksavage of South Elgin.
