Low Wins Sectional, But Won't Defend State Title

In his two decades as Evanston's head golf coach, Jed Curtis has created a family-type of culture in which the journey matters more than any outcome at any tournament.

But the Wildkits will continue their season journey this week without Lester Low.

Subscribe

After shooting the best round of his life --- an astonishing 60 on his way to medalist honors Monday at the Glenbrook North Sectional at Heritage Golf Club --- the Class 3A defending state champion will stick to his decision to skip the Illinois High School Association state tournament this weekend in Bloomington and instead will compete in an amateur tournament in Florida.

Low's participation in the Ping Invitational in Tallahassee will leave the Wildkits with a gaping hole in the lineup in their bid for the program's first team state championship. Evanston placed 3rd in the sectional on Monday with a score of 280 and will join the two teams who tied for the title at 278, Hersey and New Trier, in the finals field.

Low knows that his decision to compete at the invitation-only prestigious event in Florida might be regarded as a selfish choice by others.

But he's not second-guessing his decision.

"I'm going to Florida to compete against the best in the world, and I feel like that's the best thing for my development as a golfer," said the Evanston junior. "I haven't proven myself yet, I haven't proven I can contend and compete in big events like that. This can be a big leap for me in my career.

"This is what I believe is right. It was a hard decision. I've talked with my coaches, my teammates and my family about this and I don't believe I'm letting down the entire program. I love my teammates, I love my coaches and I love the Evanston program. I have full faith in them that they're going to put their best foot forward this weekend, and hopefully come out of it with a state championship.

"I'll be watching them and checking in with them this weekend, making sure they're ready to go. I'll be their biggest fan."

Curtis acknowledged his support of his junior star as well as his disappointment that Low won't be available, all at the same time, for the two-day test at The Den in Bloomington on Friday and Saturday.

"Everyone's entitled to their opinion about this. Lester knows that on one level I'm disappointed, but I can see all sides of it," Curtis said. "I've told him that I can live with his decision. He's poured his heart and soul into this program ever since he came out for the team as a freshman.

"I'm extremely proud of him, and happy for the opportunities he has in front of him.It does put the team in a tougher position (in the state title chase) but we're still going to have a journey, and it's going to be a memorable experience for everyone. We're not going to mourn or feel like we're victims over this.

"We have some great golfers here and I like my guys. We have a great opportunity this weekend and I still have three or four guys who can win the individual state championship. We're not just going there to show up for a tee time. Other people might write us off (as title contenders), but I'm not writing us off."

Low's school record-setting score of 60 included just the second hole-in-one of his stellar career on the way to his first sectional title. Evanston eased into the third automatic team qualifying spot Monday as none of the other three scores that counted for the Kits --- a 73 by junior Henry Way, a 73 by senior Henry Schmidt and a 74 by Derrick Nelson --- were below par.

"As a team, I don't think we had our best stuff today," Curtis admitted. "Maybe it was a bit of sectional nerves. But this was an unbelievable sectional --- it was really stacked with tough teams --- and we still only finished two shots behind."

Low definitely had his best stuff. His round of 60 on a sunny and only slightly windy day included a hole-in-one on the 137-yard No. 6 hole, an eagle on No. 1, and birdies on No. 7, No. 10, No. 13, No. 15, No. 17 and No. 18.

"I was bogey free and that's the first time I've ever done that in the high school season," Low pointed out. "I'm really happy with that score because I was able to put every phase on my game together. It's rare in golf when that happens, but everything came together for me on the same day. It all clicked for me.

"Obviously the golden ticket in golf is that score of 59. Golfers hold that score in such high regard and they're always chasing that number. I started thinking about it in the back of my mind for most of the round, and I birdied 3 of the last 4 holes. I was so close --- yet so far."

Low didn't actually see his ace on No. 6, but he heard it.

"That's the first one I've ever had in a competitive round," noted the ETHS junior. "I knew I hit it pretty good and I could tell the wind was pulling it toward the hole, but there's a mound in front of the pin and I didn't actually see it. We all heard a loud impact (of the ball hitting the flag stick) and when the people around the green threw their hands up, I knew it was in.

"It was cool to get one. But after that it's still a tournament, and I had to focus back in and get ready for the next shot, the next hole."

When Curtis and the rest of the ETHS coaching staff asked the team their usual question of the day at a post-game meal, it was all about what their best shot was on the day.

Low didn't pick that ace. He chose a tee shot he hit on No. 10 instead.

"He pulled off that shot exactly the way he wanted to, and that tells you a little bit about where he is mentally," Curtis said. "Everything was clicking for him today. It was all about executing and being in the moment, and that's next level when you have the mental ability to control what you can control, and not worry about what you can't control.

"He's the best high school golfer I've ever seen, there's no question about it."