For Mundelein, there was nothing bittersweet about the IHSA Class 3A (big school) boys golf regional hosted by Warren at Bittersweet Golf Course in Gurnee.
As far as the Mustangs were concerned, it was all good.
With four players breaking 80 on a difficult course, Mundelein won the tournament with a four-player, 18-hole score of 311. Lake Forest (313) and Stevenson (321) also advanced to next Monday’s sectional at Lake Bluff Golf Course.
Nine teams competed. Waukegan was entered in the tournament but because of a teacher’s strike, the boys golf season ended without the Bulldogs being allowed to participate.
Sophomores Ryan Magee and Nick Chuma led Mundelein with 77s, while senior Jeff Lee had a 78 and senior John Lentz a 79.
Medalist was Jack Garrity of Lake Forest. He and Highland Park’s Noah Apter both shot 74, and Garrity won the playoff.
The top 10 golfers not on a qualifying team also get to play in the sectional. That list includes Apter and Ari Herzog of Highland Park; Jeremy Schwab of Zion-Benton; Orlando Avila and Karl Tolentino of Warren; Jacob Krugman, Sam Gascoine, and Eric Bagg of Deerfield; Jacob Mueller of Libertyville; and Tyler Anderson of Carmel.
Playing in the Class 3A regional on McHenry were Grayslake North, Grant, and Lake Zurich. The only sectional qualifier from that group was Lake Zurich’s Matt Clarkson.
In Class 2A, the area’s six smaller schools competed at White Deer Run GC, and host Vernon Hills won with a 321 total. Richmond (323) and Grayslake Central (331) also advanced to the sectional next Monday at Stonewall Orchard in Grayslake.
Advancing to the sectional as individuals were Mike Barry of Lakes; and Dillon Kreutzer, Braden Ward, and Jason Mrkonich of Antioch.
Vernon Hills’ Justin Park shot 75 and was the only Cougar to break 80.