Trent Wallace winds up atop Joliet-area state syndicate

BLOOMINGTON — After a frustrating opening day for Joliet Co-op’s Trent Wallace, coach Ed Larson hoped the “golf gods” would rule in Wallace’s favor on Day 2 of the Class 3A state tournament.

“They answered, but they answered a little too late,” Larson said. “After Trent made the turn, he hit three or four birdies, but it was too little, too late.”

Wallace finished 27th in the 112-person field at The Den at Fox Creek with a 5-over-par 77 Friday and a 78 on Saturday.

“I know I could do better,” Wallace said, who placed 20th last season. “I came in with the mindset to be top 10, and I didn’t do it. So I’m not happy with it.”

Wallace said his tournament was marred by a wildly inconsistent putter.

“It seemed like every time I got a birdie, I would hit a bogey on the next hole,” Wallace said. “My putter has been acting up lately and I just didn’t play my game. I was playing frustrated.”

Wallace, a junior, will get another chance next season. He noted he still enjoyed his third trip to state despite the unwanted finish.

Lincoln-Way Central senior Tony Kestel was one stroke behind Wallace and placed 31st after rounds of 77 and 79. He said he shot better on Saturday despite the better Day 1 total, and he was able to go out on his own terms.

“It’s not like I was in contention or anything, but I wanted to birdie my last hole,” Kestel said. “I hit a six-footer for a birdie, so it’s kinda cool to end your career on that.”

Lincoln-Way East, the lone team qualifier from the area, placed 12th overall with 75-over 651.

Hinsdale Central repeated as state champs with a 603, New Trier finished second at 616, and Glenbrook North, behind medalist Brian Ohr (68-73), tied Quincy for third at 617.

Jake White (75-82) led East with a 157 and finished 40th. Matt Contey put together a 160, and Tyler Kelly and Lee Hill added 167s for the Griffins.

Lockport junior Gehrig Hollatz finished 56th with a 161. Hollatz, who played with Wallace on Day 1, struggled at the start but rebounded with a 77 on Saturday.

Providence’s Dom Cascino (85-80) placed 74th. Teammate Ricky Costello, the Pekin Sectional champ, posted rounds of 88 and 83.

Joliet Catholic’s Dyllan Mattea had rounds of 82 and 84 to place 62nd in Class 2A at Illinois State’s Weibring Golf Club.