About the only thing Barrington golfer Tom Calbi did not accomplish as a freshman was advancing to the Class 3A state tournament.
Barrington finished eighth at the Huntley Sectional at Blackstone Golf Club in Marengo Monday. The Broncos’ stroke total of 314 was 12 shots off the pace set by Deerfield. Junior Joey Batliner was the lone Barrington player to qualify as an individual with a score of 76.
Calbi began the season by winning his very first tournament, the Woodstock Invite. He followed that up with two more tournament victories, the biggest of which was the round of 70 he shot to earn medalist honors at the Palatine Regional.
“Tom is so composed on the golf course for being so young,” Broncos coach Mike Kallenbach said. “He just lets the game come to him and plays beyond his years. He doesn’t have a weakness.”
At 5-8, 130 pounds, Calbi has never been able to overpower a golf course. But that has forced him to focus on other parts of his game, particularly his short game. As a result, he can get it up-and-down from just about anywhere.
“I haven’t had the length off the tee so I’ve needed to get really good at putting and chipping,” he said. “I’m good at reading greens and if I put a good stroke on it I feel like [the putt] is going in.”
Senior captain Brad Powell can attest to that.
“I wish I could get a putting lesson from him,” Powell said with a smile. “His putting is what stands out the most. It seems like he makes every single putt.”
Calbi, who is right-handed but plays golf lefty, spent time this summer working on squaring up his club at the top of his swing.
This has allowed him to add an additional 20 yards off the tee.
“He’s hitting the ball farther than before and his swing is very fluid,” Powell said. “He still keeps the ball in the fairway and his misses are five yards offline. He’s like a machine.”
Added Calbi, “The swing change has helped me get better leverage into the ball. I’m able to get more chances at birdie.”
Calbi is not Barrington’s only talented freshman. Timothy Lim has also been a varsity fixture, and his round of 78 helped Barrington advance to the sectional tournament.
“I’ve never had two freshmen come in and be impact players like this,” Kallenbach said. “They enjoy the spotlight and playing in the big events.”
