When Lincoln-Way Central’s Sean Curran was in eighth grade, he figured he had a decision to make.
He loved to golf and play basketball.
Splitting time between both, however, didn’t allow him to maximize his skill set in either sport.
“I wasn’t getting much taller,” Curran said. “My parents aren’t very tall. I realized if I wanted to continue to play in college, I was better off choosing golf.”
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It was a wise decision.
That’s not taking anything away from Curran’s basketball skills. When the season tips off in November, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior point guard will be a four-year starter.
Very few golfers, though, boast of Curran’s ability on the course. He will play in college at Clemson with aspirations of one day making the PGA Tour.
“Sean has always been a very good golfer,” Lincoln-Way Central coach Ryan Pohlmann said. “But he’s made the transition this year to being great.”
How great?
Curran is averaging 2-under for 18 holes. He fired a round of 66 on Sept. 15 to earn medalist honors and lead the Knights to the Lockport Invite title.
It’s easy to get swept away by Curran’s propensity to smash the ball 330 yards off the tee, but it’s his short game making the biggest difference this season.
“I struggled around the green last season,” Curran said. “I didn’t put the work in I needed to, but I’ve put the work in improving around the greens.”
Pohlmann agreed, but he said Curran’s consistency in dialing it up long distance is special.
“When he strikes the ball, it’s so crisp and has a different sound,” Pohlmann said. “He hits it freakishly long. His short game and putting has improved, too.”
Curran spends much of his spare time at Flossmoor Country Club honing his skills.
With the exception of being at the gym, he pretty much spent the entire summer at the course with his older sister Grace, a former Class 2A state champion who’s now a sophomore at the University of Minnesota.
And, yes, the two are extremely competitive.
“We’ll make a few bets,” Curran said. “I don’t give her any strokes. She wouldn’t take them and doesn’t need them.”
Even with school starting, Curran has the same propensity for managing his time as he does navigating the course.
No excuses.
A three-time 3A state qualifier, Curran finished his sophomore season as the runner-up to Lockport’s Ben Sluzas, the reigning two-time state champion. Last season, Curran finished 16th.
Another chance at state is likely out of the question. The IHSA previously limited the state series to localized regional competitions due to the coronavirus pandemic, but announced Wednesday that was expanded to include a sectional.
He still golfs with Sluzas.
“Ben and I try to get out and play as much as we can together,” Curran said. “It’s great competition. I feel like my game is in a good place right now.”
Nice start: Along with the rest of District 228, Bremen didn’t play its first round until Sept. 15.
Junior Nolan Oganovich, a sectional qualifier last season, wasted no time getting established as the top golfer for the Braves by shooting a 40 against Tinley Park.
“Nolan has always struck the ball well,” Bremen coach Michael Collins said. “He’s definitely settled in and controlled his short game better.”
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Collins is excited about the Braves, who feature three other juniors in Connor Houlahan, Matt Holec and Anthony Zavala. Freshman Ricardo Avila has shown promise.
“The kids put the time in during the summer,” Collins said. “For our first match, they all struck the ball pretty well.”
Did you know? Behind Sluzas, Lockport will be aiming for its third straight conference title Tuesday in the SouthWest Suburban Meet at Ravisloe Country Club in Homewood.