Justin Choi didn’t have the look of someone who shot an under-par round at Winnetka Golf Club.
Choi’s 1-under 70 was one stroke better than four other players and earned the New Trier junior medalist honors at the Class 3A New Trier Regional. But it could have been much better.
Through 14 holes, Choi was 4-under, but he stumbled down the stretch with three bogeys on his last four holes. Still, the 70 was his best round of the season against opposing teams. His low round of the year was a 67 during tryouts.
“It kind of slipped away from me at the end, but I played great,” said Choi, who carded five birdies and four bogeys. “I just took it shot by shot and focused on what was next. It was just another round of golf.”
The Trevians posted a season-best, 1-over 285 to finish first, 16 strokes clear of Loyola’s 301. Glenbrook North grabbed the third and final team spot after shooting 303. Following Choi was senior Andrew Huber (71), senior Matt Murlick (71) and senior Nick Iserloth (73).
“This is the time of the year when we get geared up,” New Trier coach Pete Drevline said after the program’s second consecutive regional championship. “At this point, we can finally have that tunnel vision toward the state tournament.”
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Next up for New Trier and rest of the advancing teams and individuals is the sectional tournament at Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club in Hoffman Estates on Monday, Oct. 12.
Glenbrook North junior Charlie Van Cleave and Loyola junior Connor Prassas tied for second with 71s. Glenbrook South junior Kevin Paek finished alone in sixth after a 72. Loyola sophomore Chip Savarie shared seventh with Iserloth, and Glenbrook North senior Daniel Cole placed ninth with a 74. New Trier junior Michael Adler’s 76 was good for 10th, but his score didn’t count toward the team’s total. Senior Connor Hansen (79) was the Trevians’ sixth golfer.
“It’s a pretty good day when you throw out a 76 and a 79,” Drevline said.
Glenbrook North coach Justin Gerbich said he was proud of how his team competed at one of the most difficult regional tournaments in Class 3A.
“Our goal is always to keep everybody under 80,” he said. “If you do that, you always give yourself a good chance at these tournaments. Rounds in the 80s can be killers. It was huge for us to stay away from one.”
Although Glenbrook South missed out on qualifying as a team, four Titans survived the regional cut. In addition to Paek, senior Grant Reese (78), junior Charlie Nikitas (79) and sophomore Jarrett Prchal (81) each advanced.
Notre Dame sent two individuals to the sectional: sophomore Jonathan Kendall (77) and senior David Wendel (79). Junior Jake Peiser shot 79 and will be joined at the sectional by Niles West teammate and senior Skylar Le Vine, who posted an 81. Evanston will be represented in Hoffman Estates by sophomore Matthew Barbato (80) and senior Nick Lydon (81).
Twitter: @harnesspreps