Second-year RBHS boys golf coach Charlie Pozen quickly adapted to the high expectations of the Bulldogs in 2025. They captured their third straight conference team title and finished 10th (305) at the Class 3A Payton Sectional with one of the program’s lowest scores ever after finishing 12th in 2024 in the first sectional team appearance since 2015.
“(My) first year was focused on building trust and relationships with the players,” Pozen said. “Now they start to know my expectations and style of coaching and I can help the players focus on growing now that we have a good foundation.”
Seniors Oliver Fakhoury and Zak Milchhoefer return from last year’s six-player sectional and regional lineups. They and senior Eliot Kastle also were part of the eight-player Upstate Eight Conference Meet lineup. Other team members include seniors James Caliban, Joe Duffy and Jacob Gonzalez, juniors Paul Byrne, Ryan Ford, Will Harbeck, Teddy Porter, Seamus Simmons, Michael Sloger, Anthony Tyler and Jaden Wzorek and sophomores Leo Fakhoury and Bryce Sherman.
The three conference titles are the only ones in program history. Last year, the Bulldogs won the UEC East Division by going 5-0 in duals and having the division’s best score at the UEC Meet (326) by two strokes. Fakhoury (83, tied for 16th) was among three Bulldogs who were All-UEC based on UEC Meet and dual results. Milchhoefer (85, tied for 21st) and Kastle also competed.
The Bulldogs previously won the one-division UEC title in 2024 and the Metro Suburban Conference’s final season in 2023. At the 2025 Payton Sectional, Fakhoury (78) and Milchhoefer (82) had counting team scores. Graduated Connor Dominick was an individual state qualifier. RBHS advanced with a third-place 315 at the Glenbrook North Regional and counting scores from Fakhoury (82) and Milchhoefer (83).
“Strengths are that we have a deep team and a lot of players can score for us,” Pozen said. “Keys are to get each player a shot at playing in conference matches to see what our strongest lineups are, focusing on scoring inside 100 yards as a team (and) limiting triple and double bogeys.”
LTHS boys golf
After playing in the toughest 3A sectional last season, the Lyons Township boys golf team once again knows another solid day might not be enough to reach state as a team for the first time since 2021. Senior Charlie Forrest is the lone returnee among three Lions who competed at state in 2025, tying for 34th with a two-round 155 (76-79).
At last year’s sectional, the Lions’ 1-over-par 289 was fourth and nine strokes from the third of the three state-qualifying teams. Those three teams then took the three state team trophies at 3A state — champion New Trier, Evanston and West Suburban Conference Silver Division rival York in the same order as sectionals.
“It’s going to be the same (sectional) scenario. I’m assuming we’re going to be with the same teams,” LTHS coach Brian Kopecky said. “That’s just how the state does it.”
The Lions still have the potential firepower to contend and contend for a third straight outright or shared overall Silver title. Senior Ben Hare also was part of the six-player sectional lineup. Senior Grayson Lee and junior Cohen Bloomfield were part of the eight-player lineup at the WSC Silver Meet. Senior Braxton Bonnevier and junior Adrian Rakvin also return. Other team members are senior Ben Bilecki, juniors Henry Niemiec, Will Newkirk, Bennett Pairiso and Camden Stoiber and sophomore Colin Biebel.
“I think we have enough competition within ourselves where we can get four guys consistently good (every meet),” Kopecky said. “Hopefully the weather cooperates because it’s been brutal for everybody (so far).”
The Lions had their season opener Thursday in Champaign delayed by weather for 90 minutes to complete the last two holes. Their hopes of playing Friday in Bloomington at The Den at Fox Bend, again site of the 3A state meet, Oct. 9-10, were canceled by weather.
On Saturday, the Lions (287) were second at their quad at Fox Bend, 10 strokes behind York. Hare and Bloomfield shot 70s Saturday to tie for fourth. Hare had a team-best 75 Thursday with Bonnevier and Lee (78s) and Niemiec and Biebel (79) also in the 70s.
Forrest has not yet played as he recovers from a wrist injury.
“This was probably (Forrest’s) best summer in the summer tournaments,” Kopecky said. “If we can get a (consistent) fourth guy, then we’ll be in the hunt.”
At last year’s sectional, all three Lions were among four par-72s that took the last four of the 10 individual qualifying spots. Hare (73) came one stroke from forcing a playoff. At the Silver Meet, the Lions shot a then season-best 286 to win by two strokes over Hinsdale Central and shares the overall title with the Red Devils after losing their dual meet. The 2024 Lions won the overall Silver title outright with their 6-0 dual record after the Silver Meet could not be completed because of bad weather. Hare (71) was awarded third based on a scorecard tiebreaker, and Bloomfield (11th, 74) were 2025 all-conference medalists by being among the top 14 scores. Forrest (76) and Lee (77) also competed. Biebel (72) and Niemiec (76) were the Lions’ top scorers in the sophomore WSC Silver Meet.
Forrest and Hare also were part of the 2024 sectional lineup when the Lions again finished fourth, four strokes from third.
“Obviously the goal is to get (to state) and with our (challenging) schedule, when you play better competition, you’re used to seeing some guys dial it up,” Kopecky said.