Batavia Boys Golf Loses its Invite Team Title on 5th-Card Tiebreaker

Matt Milauskas had the kind of start golfers dream of—especially when playing in your home tournament.

The Batavia second-rated player began his round at Fox Valley Golf Club in North Aurora Saturday morning like an unashamed arsonist, torching the par-72 layout with three birdies in a bogey-free nine-hole start to the shotgun format.

Unfortunately for Milauskas, the red-number holes were later subdued by a pair of double-bogeys, but his resulting level-par 72 enabled him to finish in a three-way tie for the individual medalist.

Milauskas ended up third in the scorecard playoff with Oak Park-River Forest senior Danny Wojtak and Wheaton-Warrenville South and Ohio State recruit Tee-K Kelly as his personal fortunes mirrored that of the Bulldogs as a team at the Batavia Invitational.

Tied with Lyons Township after the schools’ top four scores were recorded, the Bulldogs were forced to accept runner-up status on a fifth-card tiebreaker.

“I hit my tee shots well today,” Milauskas said. “When I do that, I can put a low number up there. I made some putts, and that always helps.”

Home Field Advantage, Headaches

Nathan Podraza was equally efficient for the Bulldogs at the 30-team invitational that has historically produced low scores as the Fox Valley dynamics—reachable par-5s and short par-4s—are at the mercy of the assault on the game.

Podraza chipped in for eagle on the par-4 seventh hole to frame his 3-over 75.

“We play here four times a week,” Podraza said of the Bulldogs’ collective knowledge of their home course. “You know the bounces you’re going to get and how to play them to your advantage.”

Peter Karkos also sought to excel with some home cooking. Karkos’ 76 total was yet another solid contribution for the squad.

“I would characterize (my round) as decently bad,” Karkos said. “I’m not happy with 4-over on my home course.”

Karkos said his round could have been far better had he been able to convert his attempts for birdie.

“I was sinking putts all day long to make pars but didn’t make any birdie putts,” Karkos said. “I missed (short) birdie putts on (Nos.) 17 and 18.”

Emilio Tenuta completed the Bulldogs’ total with a 79.

Billy Zwick had an 80 for the Bulldogs’ fifth card, but Lyons’ Kevin Carlson gave his squad its fourth tournament title this fall with a 78.

Coach's Comments

Batavia coach Tim DeBruycker was noticeably pleased with his players’ performance on Saturday, but he is more interested in shoring up their Upstate Eight Conference River chances.

“We still have an outside chance to win the conference championship,” DeBruycker said. “But we shot ourselves in the foot by losing our first two (league) matches.”

Batavia fielded two teams on the day, and Will Vacek paced the Bulldogs’ second unit with an 81.