Naperville North Leads Area Contingent at Batavia Boys Golf Invitational

Raymond Knoll can be hard to please.

"It was a mediocre round," the Naperville North junior said after posting a 3-over-par 75 at Fox Valley Golf Club in North Aurora on Saturday.

Then again, expectations for the Huskies' boys golf team may be somewhat unrealistic after the squad was collectively under par last weekend at Buffalo Grove.

"We kind of careered last week," North coach Ryan Hantak said of the Huskies' 2-under performance last weekend. 

Saturday at the 30-team Batavia Invitational, one of the most prestigious tournaments during the regular season, Knoll and his North teammates were 21 shots higher than they were a week ago.

But the tournament that showcases many of the top programs in the western suburbs lived up to its billing.

Lyons Township needed a fifth-card tiebreaker to turn back the host Bulldogs after the schools' matching 302 team scores in regulation required a fifth-card solution.

North had four players finish in the 70s at the par-72 layout, as vulnerable as ever to the modern player as aggressive as they are attuned to a different era for the sport.

Ten players were at 2-over 74 or better at Fox Valley, and sophomore Mike Doherty matched the Knoll total to propel the Huskies' 307 finish.

Eric Izzo, who was one of two North players in red numbers last week, had an uncharacteristic showing for the Huskies.

"If (Izzo) shoots his average, we're right there to win it," Hantak said. "This is just good experience for the regional. The top teams in the western suburbs can beat any other team at any time."

Benet, with Naperville resident Conor Ryan leading the way with a ninth-place 74, finished a shot behind Naperville North.

"I was again pleased with Conor Ryan," Benet coach Dan Nagis said. "He has been shooting phenomenally all year, especially in the invitationals. He is always in contention for medals."

Waubonsie Valley is considered to be one of the better programs in the far western suburbs.

The current Upstate Eight Valley unbeaten found itself in unfamiliar territory with its 12th-place result.

The Warriors did receive some welcome news, though, as their fourth, fifth and sixth players -- Jeremy Weiland, Andrew Heinan and Austin Detz -- all broke 80.

"I don't think we were very smart today in how we managed the course," Waubonsie coach Dave Owles said. "You're going to make physical mistakes. You can't make bad decisions."

Downers Grove North senior Pat Lowry was the low man for the Trojans with a 79.

Plainfield Central, Minooka, West Aurora and Plainfield East also found the going difficult during the mentally demanding rounds that last nearly six hours.

Hinsdale Central offered yet more evidence of the supremacy of the West Suburban Silver.

The Red Devils' David Whinery led the club, which was eighth overall, with a 75.

"My putting was definitely much better," said Whinery whose short game has been inconsistent in recent weeks. "I was making some putts. There were a lot of dead spots all over the greens."

Not only did league rival Lyons win the tournament, but Oak Park-River Forest lost a third-place tiebreaker to Wheaton Warrenville South.

Oswego proved to be something of a surprise after Matt Anderson and Zach Manzella posted respective rounds of 75 and 76 to lead the club to an 11th-place finish at 312.