Late rallies have become the theme for Ricky Costello, so it was of little surprise the Providence junior saved his best for last Saturday at the Class 3A boys golf state tournament.
Costello recorded a sizzling second round, firing a 1-under 71 at The Den at Fox Creek to rally into a tie for fourth place at 152. Costello (81-71) was 40th after a disappointing Day 1.
More Top Picks Best Lg Tvs
“It’s not like I was sleeping on the lead or anything,” said Costello, who has interest from Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac 12 programs. “I had no expectations or any pressure on myself.”
Costello started his second round with a par and two double-bogeys but bounced back with six birdies and eight pars over the next 15 holes. He finished seven shots back from Edwardsville medalist Justin Hemings. They were the only two players in the 112-player field to score a round under par.
“I was definitely down after those two doubles,” Costello said. “But then I strung three birdies together, and that got me a little more confident. I played the rest of the day really well.”
Costello made a similar run last season, ranking 37th after Day 1 before regrouping to finish sixth.
“It’s better than last year, and I’m happy with it,” Costello said. “It’s good to show what I’m capable of.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Preston Genett followed a similar path. Genett (81-75) rebounded on the second day and finished tied for 13th, one stroke outside the top 10.
“Senior year, this is all you can ask for,” Genett said. “I’m just happy I made it this far, and this was my last hurrah. Sometimes I swell up, so I just said, ‘Preston, go have fun with it.’ “
Hinsdale Central (45-over 621) become the first Class 3A school to win four straight state championships with a three-stoke victory over New Trier. Providence (659) finished ninth and H-F (674) was 11th.
H-F’s Jack Mulligan, the lone four-year qualifier from the Southland, finished with a 173. Mulligan had a roller-coaster conclusion to his career, falling off a golf cart the day before sectionals. He then pieced together an even-par 72 to help H-F advance to state.
“I almost spent all my energy at sectionals just getting here,” said Mulligan, sporting cuts and scabs on both arms from the incident. “The fall didn’t hurt that badly, but I was mad at myself that I would let that happen.”
Mulligan said his cart’s speed governor failed while he was driving downhill. It gained too much speed, and he lost control.
“I’m definitely happy that I made it four times,” Mulligan said. “It’s a huge accomplishment. I didn’t play great, and it will be hard to swallow, but I’ll come back from this.”
Brother Rice’s Liam Sweeney tied for 52nd with a 165.
In Class 2A, Lemont sophomore Raymond Sullivan (152) tied for 12th individually. The Indians (678) placed 12th in the team standings at Weibring Golf Club in Normal.
Chicago Christian had the best finish of any Southland school, taking fifth in Class 1A at 674. Pete Vos, a junior, finished 10th with rounds of 79 and 81 at Prairie Vista in Bloomington.
“(Vos’) big game is his driver, and that keeps him in the game most of the time,” Chicago Christian coach Collin Broekhuis said. “In the last 10 years, we haven’t had anyone in the top 10.”
Logan Malloy is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.