Saints Golfers Swing Into Fast Start

Every good team is entitled to an off day.

If you're St. Charles East boys golf coach John Stock, that's what possibly took place at the Batavia Invitational Saturday at Fox Valley Golf Club in North Aurora.

While the Saints' 10th-place finish in the 27-team tournament was respectable, their four-man total of 313 wasn't quite good enough in the eyes of their longtime coach.

"We need to get a little stronger and a little tougher," said Stock, whose team finished 12 strokes in back of team champion Wheaton Warrenville South (301).

"Sometimes when you get off to such a good start like we did, you start believing you're good and you don't work as hard as you possibly can. It'll be a good speech at practice tomorrow (Monday)," Stock said.

"It was disappointing from our perspective," he added.

One player who has done nothing to disappoint this season is senior Jordan Wetsch, who placed fourth individually at Batavia with an even-par 72.

"Jordan has shot lights out for us," Stock said of his No. 1 player, who is fresh from a summer that included a title-winning effort at a five-team tournament in Ohio, a runner-up finish at the Illinois State Junior Amateur, a third-place showing at the CDGA Junior Amateur, and making the cut at the Illinois Open.

"He's 1-over-par for the season," Stock said. "He won last week at St. Viator (tournament), he won at the Biltmore, was second at Coyote Creek and third at Geneva. His five 18-hole rounds are 71, 72, 72, 72, and 73.

Wetsch had a double-bogey on the second hole at Batavia, then came back to shoot even-par, Stock said.

"He has developed into a real tough competitive golfer," he added.

The Saints also received a sub-80s round from senior Michael Heithoff, who carded a 76. Jon Woods added an 81.

"When we have to count an 81 and 83, it's not going to happen," Stock said. "We have the talent to do better than that."

And they have – as the Saints opened the season with a title-winning 298 total at the Coyote Creek Invite Aug. 21 in Peoria; won the Biltmore Classic Aug. 30 in Barrington with a 308; and finished with a 295 at Geneva.

The Saints will take on Batavia Sept. 16 at Prairie Landing before participating at the Wheeling Invite Sept. 18.