Glenbrook North still in search of consistency

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WHEELING — Before the season started, Glenbrook North boys golf coach Justin Gerbich stressed that a key to his team’s success would be consistency.

At the Wheeling Wildcat Invite on Saturday, Gerbich said he’s still hoping for more consistent scores, but that his team is getting better. The Spartans finished sixth out of 25 teams at the tournament.

“So far it’s been up and down. The last two matches have been great,” Gerbich said. “Today, not so well.”

The bright spots on Saturday were the Spartans’ Nos. 4 and 5 golfers: Sam Nyren and Charlie VanCleeve both broke 80. They did it on a windy day at Traditions at Chevy Chase Golf Course. If they stay consistent, they could help the Spartans come regional time.

Nyren, a senior, bogeyed his first three holes before going on to shoot 11 pars. He finished with a 79.

Noting the team’s struggle for consistency, Nyren said, “We just got to be more confident.”

That, he said, will allow everyone to start better each match.

Nyren, the only Spartans golfer to break 40 on the back nine, added: “I have to get off the tee better.”

Confidence can help that.

VanCleeve, a sophomore playing in just his fifth varsity match, also cited confidence as an issue facing the Spartans.

It’s important that “we don’t think ahead too much,” he said, otherwise “we end up overthinking the whole round.”

VanCleeve shot a 79 on the day. Both he and Gerbich were happy with that score.

“The pins were really, really tough,” VanCleeve said.

Glenbrook North shot 315 as a team, which Gerbich said is not a terrible score, but not quite good enough to compete with teams like Loyola and Barrington.

They came in first and second place, respectively. They both shot 300.

Luke Oberholtzer, Glenbrook North’s No. 2, led his team Saturday, registering a 77.

Gerbich said his team has work to do as tournament time draws near.

“We have to learn how to finish a little better,” he said. “And we’ll be in good shape.”

The Spartans hit the links again Saturday at the Lake Forest Invite, which starts at 1 p.m.

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