Homewood-Flossmoor coach Chris Stiglic said Jack Mulligan has the perfect temperament for golf.
His last name fits the game, too.
Mulligan didn’t need any extra shots, though, Monday at the Marist Sectional at Old Oak Country Club. The sophomore carded a 6-over 77 to qualify for the Class 3A state tournament for a second season in a row. He was one of 10 at-large individuals to make the cut.
“He takes it shot by shot and hole by hole,” Stiglic said. “He really stays in the moment. He doesn’t let bad shots affect his future shots. He also doesn’t get overly excited and start projecting a final score if he has one good hole.
“He has a good state of mind.”
Mulligan made two birdies, at Nos. 9 and 11, one double bogey and six bogeys during his round on the 6,011-yard track. Although the course was short, it proved to be a challenge, especially on the greens. It was rumored that one player needed eight putts to find the hole on No. 8.
“You definitely had to put the ball in the fairway and then below the hole,” said Mulligan, who lead the Vikings at the regional tournament with a 75. “I did that most of the day.”
Mulligan said he’s ball-striking was substandard, but he was able to scramble his way to a spot this weekend at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington.
As a freshman, Mulligan tied for 70th with an 83. The second round was called off due to bad weather.
“Last year was more of a learning experience for me,” he said. “I didn’t go out and try and shoot a certain number. It’s a unique course because of the weather. It can be cold and windy down there. I think you do need to play it at least once to feel comfortable on it.”
Glenbrook North senior Nick Hardy, considered by many to be the favorite to win the state title, captured the sectional championship with a 66, four strokes clear of Maine East junior Orion Yamat. They were the only two players to break par.
Evanston senior Jackson Mihevc took third with a 71. New Trier junior Will Connelly and Niles West senior Nate Lee tied for fourth with 72 each. Loyola senior Chris Nolan, Loyola sophomore Michael Banas, Oak Park-River Forest senior Mike Duwe and New Trier sophomore Nick Iserloth all shot 75.
Glenbrook North won the team title with 293. New Trier (301) and Evanston (306) were the other two team qualifiers.
Homewood-Flossmoor finished sixth at 331. Regional champions Marist and Marian Catholic tied for seventh at 338. Brother Rice (356), Stagg (367) and Mount Carmel (366) placed 10th, 11th and 12th, respectively.
