Riverside Brookfield High School senior Connor Dominick didn’t mind having his three-day weekend plans of college golf visits become a little busier. Dominick was an individual qualifier to his first Class 3A boys golf state tournament Friday and Saturday at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington.
“Playing at state was definitely different than my high school rounds because I was all by myself and nobody else from my team was playing,” Dominick said. “Something I’ll remember was just the environment. There was so many people there and college coaches. It honestly felt like I was at a PGA Tour event. I was with (first-year RBHS head coach Charlie Pozen), just talking through every shot. It just felt like I was in a professional tournament. It was awesome.”
Dominick tied for 67th with a 163 (79-84) for 36 holes on the par-72 course.
Lyons Township also had three individual qualifiers making their state debuts. Senior Garrett Pohl tied for 18th with a 150 (74-76), junior Charlie Forrest tied for 34th at 155 (76-79) and senior TJ Almond also tied for 67th at 163 (81-82).
“It’s truly amazing (at state) because it’s just a big environment,” Pohl said. “You’re playing with the best players in the state. You feel like you’re in a pro setting. You’re locked in every shot. You’re trying your best to make the scores you want. It’s super enjoyable to play in that type of competition.”
All four players qualified at the 3A Payton Sectional Oct. 7 without a playoff by sharing the last advancing individual score of par 72. Lyons Township nearly qualified as a team with a top-three finish but placed fourth. The three teams that beat the Lions took the three state team trophies Saturday — champion New Trier (589), Evanston (589) and West Suburban Conference Silver Division rival York (607) in the same order as sectionals.
The Lions had won the Silver Meet and shared the overall Silver title with Hinsdale Central (619), which was sixth Saturday.
“It’s frustrating for sure (our whole team wasn’t at state),” Pohl said.
Dominick was a bit frustrated with his finish after starting with a 79 Friday, which comfortably beat Saturday’s individual cut of 82. He had one birdie, four bogeys and two double bogeys Friday and eight bogeys and two doubles Saturday.
“My goal was first to enjoy my last rounds of high school golf and to also make the cut for the second day and I achieved both of those goals,” Dominick said. “I was a little disappointed in how I played. The course was playing really tough. I actually hit the ball well, I feel like, but my putting was where I left a ton of strokes out there.”
Pohl was four strokes from a top-10 medal. Pohl had three birdies, three bogeys and two doubles Saturday after a birdie, bogey and double Friday.
“I’d say that (36 holes) ranks near the top, especially with the circumstances of playing at state,” Pohl said. “My goal was actually to finish around even par. I didn’t play as well as I could have but with the conditions, I’m happy with 6-over par.”
Pohl mentioned one state tradition — heavy winds — which were as bad as 25 miles an hour, but temperature was not a significant factor this year. Pohl’s state trip also was a personal triumph after battling back issues throughout the season. He saw a chiropractor beforehand and did the necessary icing and precautions to not be affected during state.
“Charlie, JT and I, we had a great time at the hotel and course,” Pohl said. “We were pumped to shout out for LT and show the other teams how good our team was. Even though we didn’t have the other three guys (from sectionals), I think we performed really solidly.”
In 2A boys, Nazareth Academy sophomore Alex Perez tied for 36th with 156 (76-80) at his state debut at Weibring Golf Club in Normal.
RBHS girls golf
Riverside Brookfield senior Lucia Vazzana finished 73rd with a two-round 174 (84-90) in her first trip to the 2A girls golf state meet at the par-72 Hickory Point in Forsyth.
“I really enjoyed the experience. It felt like such an accomplishment to be able to golf with so many outstanding players,” Vazzana said. “What I enjoyed most was the challenge of the course and the competition with other players.”
Vazzana faced bigger challenges than she imagined besides making Saturday’s individual cut by two strokes.
“My main goal was to enjoy the experience and go into the round with no expectations. I was surprised and grateful to make it to Saturday,” Vazzana said. “I felt I played well, but also found it difficult to maintain my momentum since the round was nearing 6.5 hours. It’s easy to get in your head waiting 10 minutes to continue playing after a rough previous hole.’
Vazzana was accompanied by senior teammate Tali Schultz. At her fourth sectional Oct. 7, She played with the Bulldogs after they achieved their first sectional team berth in program history.
“(State) was surreal, knowing that I was playing my last ever high school round, but at least I was able to stretch out my senior season for as long as possible,” Vazzana said.
“I will remember the memories I made with the team and coaches, as well as the constant support from my parents and family. I couldn’t have done it without the support system I have. It means a lot.”
