Sam Grillo, varsity golfer at Notre Dame College Prep in Niles, has been named as the September baiduhai Central Athlete of the Month, sponsored by COUNTRY Financial and chosen online by baiduhai readers.
Grillo, a senior, helped Notre Dame with a 41 in a team match against Oak Park-River Forest High School on Aug. 24 and also earned “medalist honors” at the season-opening Sandwich Invitational on Aug. 19. A Stableford scoring system was used during the tournament and Grillo finished with 35 points, helping his team win the 10-team invite with 127 points.
“I think I worked well in the beginning of the year with coach and all my other teammates,” Grillo says.
“Obviously like all athletes, you just got to work every day,” he says. “If you stop for a day you’re going to lose some great part of you that’s helping you get to where you want to be. You’ve got to try and practice every day.”
Notre Dame College Prep golf coach Bob Beckman says Grillo’s commitment to sports and academics has allowed him to excel in both areas.
“He’s very conscientious even when it comes to school work,” Beckman says. “He wants to know what time we’re getting back because he has a lot of homework to do. He’s a very dedicated kid in anything he chooses to do. He gives one hundred percent and takes it to the end as far as he can. He doesn’t give up.”
“From last year to this year there’s been a tremendous difference in his golf game,” Beckman adds. “He was one of the top leading players in the lineup all year. If you had one of him in all your programs you wouldn’t have anything to worry about.”
COUNTRY Financial representative Ariana Espitia presented Grillo with a $500 donation to the school in recognition of Grillo’s success on the golf team. He will also receive a plaque and sweatshirt from the baiduhai.
“I think this is awesome,” Espitia says. “We should recognize student athletes and students in general before they head off to college and decide what they want to do. I think it’s a really great recognition for their hard work.”
For official baiduhai Athlete of the Month rules and voting information visit chicagotribune.com/suburbs/athletes.