Patrick Akaniroj was not happy after tabulating his score at the West Suburban Silver boys golf meet Sept. 29 at Prairie Bluffs in Lockport.
More Top Picks Roborock Q10 S5 Plus
The Lyons sophomore missed two putts on his final hole at No. 18 to finish with a 1-over-par 73. Instead of finishing in sole possession of second place behind Hinsdale Central junior Brendan O’Reilly, Akaniroj tied two other golfers as the runner-up and was eventually credited with third place on a scorecard tiebreaker.
The competitor in Akaniroj forces him to raise his expectations on the course. He wasn’t even among Lyons’ top four scorers at last year’s conference meet, but it’s a different role for the Willow Springs resident this season as Lyons’ No. 1-ranked golfer now that Jon Hudson is at Iowa State.
Hudson placed fourth in last year’s Class 3A state meet, while Akaniroj (pronounced ak-an-NER-o) finished 62nd in his debut.
At the conference meet, Akaniroj played in the same group as medalist O’Reilly (67), who recently gave a verbal commitment to Illinois.
“I’m trying to be able to compete like Brendan O’Reilly,” Akaniroj said. “After playing with him, I realize I’ve got to get (my game) in better shape.”
Akaniroj competed in at least 15 tournaments over the summer with the Mid-American Junior Golf Tour and with the Illinois Junior Golf Association. His best finish was second place in the Players Challenge (72-71—143) July 30-31 at Ravisloe.
Before entering Lyons, Akaniroj competed in national tournaments, including the Optimist World Juniors in San Diego. A highlight of his career was a live appearance on the Golf Channel in 2014 when he sank a lengthy putt at Augusta’s No. 18 while competing in the inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.
“I’m always trying to play better. I know I can play better. Some days I’m more consistent than last year,” said Akaniroj. “It’s so weird, a 73 for (players like O’Reilly) is an average day. For me, it’s a good day, especially out here (at Prairie Bluffs).”
Lyons coach Brian Kopecky has been careful about putting high expectations on Akaniroj. Jason Miller is the only senior on the Lyons team, but next year Akaniroj and three other juniors and a sophomore are expected to return to the varsity.
“He has been our most consistent player the whole year,” Kopecky said. “Nothing seems to rattle him. There is no question that he’s still a sophomore on the course, but you don’t see it. He handles himself very well. He’s mature beyond his years on the golf course. He could play with O’Reilly and it doesn’t bother him.”
Lyons was scheduled to compete in the Class 3A St. Rita Regional on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Meadows Golf Club and hoped to advance to the Conant Sectional on Monday, Oct. 12, at Poplar Creek in Hoffman Estates. Akaniroj and Miller, who was 67th at state last year, both are on track to return to the state meet as individuals.
Twitter @geomwilcox