The Riverside Brookfield High School girls golf team climaxed arguably its strongest season ever in 2023 by qualifying five individuals for the Class 2A Hinsdale South Sectional.
While the Bulldogs may have graduated the program’s best golfer ever, senior Taryn Schultz and juniors Lucia Vazzana and Tali Schultz continue to set higher standards.
“Last year’s success carries over to this season in the form of high expectations,” RBHS coach Doug Schultz responded.
“When our top three, Lucia, Taryn and Tali, make sectionals and then return for another season, you now have an attainable goal set to get back there. These three have put the work in during the offseason and played a lot during the summer to be prepared. It’s great to see a core with great confidence at the beginning of the season.”
At sectionals, Vazzana (89) was nine strokes from the individual state cut, followed by sisters Tali Schultz (101) and Taryn Schultz (102), who are not related to Coach Schultz. Vazzana and Taryn Schultz also were 2022 individual sectional qualifiers.
Also back for the varsity are seniors Lucy Drenth, Ella Jurgens and Ellie Megall as well as juniors Jessica Kot, Angie Calvetti and Ava Morg in their third seasons. Freshmen Fiona Lombardi and Harper Jesswein also could compete for varsity spots.
The Bulldogs still seek a sectional team berth after two close calls, led by graduated Mayan Covarrubias, a three-time individual state qualifier.
At the 2023 Glenbard East Regional, the Bulldogs were fifth (353), 16 strokes from a top-three finish to advance. In 2022, their fourth-place 355 in a less competitive regional lost out third on a fifth-score tiebreaker.
Vazzana (tied for 10th, 83), Taryn Schultz (94) and Tali Schultz (97), the last individual qualifier by six strokes, were among 10 individual sectional qualifiers.
While most RBHS teams join the Upstate Eight Conference this season, the Bulldogs made their debut in 2023 and nearly won it. They were a close second to South Elgin 356-358 at the UEC Meet and second in the final overall standings after going 7-0-1 in duals. Vazzana (4th, 82) and Taryn Schultz (6th on scorecard tiebreaker, 95) were among the 10 All-UEC players. Vazzana was the No. 3 point scorer combining dual and UEC Meet results.
LTHS girls golf
The Lyons Township girls are hoping for another strong veteran group to help them achieve their first consecutive state team berths since their last four state berths from 2010-13.
Junior Amelia Van Vuren and senior Isabella Evans return from last year’s lineup that finished 10th at the Class 2A state meet (344), seven strokes shy of the eight-team cut for Saturday’s second and final round.
Also back are seniors Isabella Caulfield, Miley McCullum and Patti Pawlikowski.
The Lions opened Thursday by taking ninth at the Plainfield North Invite. Van Vuren was 13th (80).
Lyons Township’s Amelia Van Vuren sinks her putt against Oak Park-River Forest during a match at Flagg Creek Golf Course Monday, August 19, 2024 in Countryside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons Township’s Isabella Evans chips onto the green against Oak Park-River Forest during a match at Flagg Creek Golf Course Monday, August 19, 2024 in Countryside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons Township’s Isabella Caulfield follows through on her drive against Oak Park-River Forest during a match at Flagg Creek Golf Course Monday, August 19, 2024 in Countryside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons Township’s Isabella Caulfield watches her putt against Oak Park-River Forest during a match at Flagg Creek Golf Course Monday, August 19, 2024 in Countryside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons Township’s Amelia Van Vuren watches her drive against Oak Park-River Forest during a match at Flagg Creek Golf Course Monday, August 19, 2024 in Countryside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
“The players are very excited to begin a new season. They had fun last season and hope to continue that fun,” LTHS coach Jeff Johnson responded.
“We have a nice group of returning seniors and juniors. Hopefully we can build upon a great togetherness from last season.”
At state, Van Vuren was 72nd with a 176 (85-91) and Evans was 76th at 180 (83-97) with the Lions’ second and third lowest 36-hole totals.
On fifth-score tiebreakers for third place, the Lions were the last state qualifier out of the Hinsdale South Sectional (340) after also being the last sectional qualifier out of the Glenbard East Regional (337).
Van Vuren and Evans had respective counting scores of 87 and 91 at sectionals and 85 and 89 at regionals.
The Lions were fifth at the West Suburban Conference Meet (349) and fifth in the final overall standings. Van Vuren (89, tied for 20th) earned All-WSC medalist honors with a top-20 finish. Caulfield was the Lions’ fourth score (91).