Area golfers seeking redemption at state

Waubonsie Valley’s Bing Singhsumalee, Neuqua Valley’s Jessica Yuen and Naperville North’s Taylor Arenson are talking about some unfinished business this weekend in Decatur.

The three area golfers felt they had chances to impress or — in Yuen’s case — win state Class AA medalist honors at last year’s state tournament before poor weather stopped play the second day and final scores reverted back to Day 1. It left Yuen tied for second, only a shot back at 72 behind state champion Stephanie Miller of Stevenson. At par-72 (5,779 yards) Hickory Point Golf Club, Yuen, Singhsumalee and Arenson will get another chance Friday and Saturday.

“I kind of want to win it since I was so close last year, one stroke off,” the laid-back junior said. “I’ll pretty much just go down there and try to play the best I can.”

Yuen, who was fourth in the state as a freshman in 2011, shot 74 at Monday’s Rockford sectional for second, behind Singhsumalee by a shot.

For Singhsumalee, the memory of last year’s state tourney provides inspiration for a different reason than for Yuen. It’s a shot at redemption.

“I shot 79 last year the first day and I was not happy about that at all,” Singhsumalee said. “I was hoping to come back the second day and it got rained out. Hopefully I’ll redeem myself.”

The Warriors junior has had the kind of game it takes to be in the mix.

“My worst this year has been about 3 over par so I’ve been pretty consistent the whole season,” she said. “I think my irons definitely need a little more attention and my putting, too, because putting is always so important.”

Naperville North senior Taylor Arenson had an experience last year similar to Singhsumalee’s, but thinks she can be a factor after shooting 70 to win her regional, but following with an 80 in sectional. “I shot an 81 (at state) last year the first day and then the second day I was only one over on my sixth hole when they called it, so maybe this year I’ll get my revenge,” she said. “I think the key will be just to keep calm. Last year I was just kind of getting a feel for being down there, I was just kind of getting the whole experience. This year is to try and win it.”

Arenson, who is undecided for college between Nebraska, NIU and UIC, has the extra incentive of having a team at state, but last year she made it only as an individual. Naperville North’s Christine Grzesiak, Maddie Krejci, Caroline Pierson, Jaycie Waite and Blayne Yarmat will join Arenson at state after taking the second sectional qualifying spot.

“It’s awesome,” she said. “I’m so excited. Last year, I was like, ‘what do I do? I’m all alone.’ ”

Metea Valley sophomore Kateyln Klein makes a repeat trip to state and is joined by sophomore teammate Niquole Mangal.

The Class A meet is at Decatur’s par-72, 5,651-yard Red Tail Run Golf Course. Rylie Loux of Plano and Elise Douglas of IMSA qualified individually, while Rosary’s entire team of Victoria Phipps, Morgan Martinez, Annika Strolle, Jenna Streich, Nina Doyle an Sofia Cozzoni will pursue a team trophy.