BOYS GOLF: Jan is Spartans' Sole Survivor at Sectionals

A great season can end so quickly and so surprisingly. That’s the feeling of the boys golf team right now.

The Spartans’ fantastic season included and regional championships, but it came to an end for the team Monday at the Fremd Sectional at Hilldale Golf Course in Hoffman Estates. GBN took fifth place out of 12 teams, falling two spots short of a return trip to the state tournament. Last year the Spartans took fourth at state.

This year, junior Nick Jan qualified for state as one of the top ten at-large scores with a 75, tying for the sixth best round of the day on Monday, but he was the only Spartan to qualify.

“Everybody struggled a little bit today,” said GBN coach Justin Gerbich. “They were battling, but we just didn’t have it today.

“I feel bad for the guys because we had a good season, but we obviously wanted to advance,” he added. “It’s a letdown.”

GBN posted a 318, finishing five strokes behind third place Barrington for the final state spot. Carmel and Lake Forest were co-champs with a stroke total of 301.

Sophomore Nick Hardy came up one stroke short of qualifying for a playoff to advance to state. Hardy posted an eight-over 79 and the cut line was a 78. Last week Hardy shot a two-under 70 to take the first place medal at the Deerfield Regional and tied for 14th at state last year.

“He’s a little frustrated,” Gerbich said. “He had such a good season, he’s such a good player, but he’ll be back. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”

Fellow sophomore Brian Ohr shot an 80 and was followed by Jon Goldstein and Harrison Marick with 84s and Jae Lee with an 86.

Jan can look forward to the state tournament this Friday and Saturday at The Den and Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington. Last year Jan shot an even par 72 in the first round, but shot an 87 in the second round to finish tied for 31st. He hopes to improve on that standing this week.

“I had a great first round last year, I shot 72 and I didn’t close it so I want to close it this year,” Jan said.

The junior has some experience at the course, from state last year as well as a junior tournament and a practice round, but says it will be different to play without his teammates.

“We didn’t play our best and it’s going to be weird going down without them,” Jan said. “I’ve been playing with these guys for three months.”

Gerbich gives Jan a fighting chance this weekend.

“He’s capable of winning,” the coach said. “He’s a good player. He’s one of the better players in the state. It’s just a matter of what he shoots down there, and hopefully he’ll play well.”