For Lincoln-Way East sophomore Dylan Drogemuller, all that stood in the way of winning was a 4-foot putt.
Sounds easy enough.
He knew better.
“I missed three putts within 5 feet,” Drogemuller said. “I tried to block that out and trust the line, trust the process and trust myself. It was a relief.”
Drogemuller’s trust was rewarded Tuesday when he sank a birdie putt on the 18th hole, finishing with a 2-over 72 to earn medalist honors of the SouthWest Suburban Blue Meet at Ravisloe Country Club in Homewood.
Lockport freshman Joey Sluzas was the runner-up with a 73, while Homewood-Flossmoor’s Charlie Van Etten and Sandburg’s Ben Schieber tied for third with a 76.
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Lockport’s Ben Sluzas, the reigning two-time Class 3A state champion, carded a 79.
While Drogemuller came through with his putting at the most crucial time, it was his ability to stay in the fairway off the tee that allowed him to stay ahead of a loaded field.
“My driver was consistent all day,” he said. “I felt good up there.”
Case in point — the 18th tee. After missing a 7-foot putt for birdie on No. 17, Drogemuller could have allowed that disappointment to fester.
No chance.
“After I missed the putt, I knew I had to make birdie on 18,” he said. “I stayed with the plan.”
On No. 18, a 338-yard, par-4 hole, Drogemuller unleashed a massive drive that sailed straight down the fairway and approximately 50 yards from the green.
Wearing black pants, a black and grey pullover and stocking cap, Drogemuller then lofted a chip shot that landed on the green and stopped within 4 feet of the cup.
Clutch.
“Dylan never surprises me,” Lincoln-Way East coach Jim Nair said. “He’s been consistent all year. He’s worked hard, and he’s able to stay focused.”
Going into the back nine, Drogemuller had a feeling it could be a very rewarding day.
“I birdied (No. 9) and I had some gas to give a huge push the rest of the way,” he said. “This is a tough course, but I was feeling good.”
Some of that confidence can be attributed to Drogemuller, who swings left-handed, and a couple teammates playing the course Sunday to get a better feel.
Although the Griffins played H-F at Ravisloe earlier in the season, Sunday’s tuneup proved rewarding.
Lincoln-Way East won the team championship with a score of 305, followed by Lockport with 311, Sandburg with 312, H-F with 320 and Bolingbrook with 364.
Freshman Tanner Leonard and sophomore Jake Krstulovich each scored a 77 for the Griffins, while junior Patrick Jungles added a 79.
“These guys are golf rats,” Nair said. “They’re good buddies and they play together all the time. We have depth, which is a good thing to have on days like this.”
Lincoln-Way East’s victory snapped Lockport’s two-year championship run.
“We got beat,” Lockport coach Matt Eber said. “Tough conditions and a tough course. We’ll regroup and get ready for regionals.
“The good news is Joey played well. He’s played well the last three weeks. He knows he belongs.”
Van Etten, a junior, broke 80 just one other time in high school for H-F. He hopes his 76 carries into next week’s regional.
“I’ve been playing good golf all year,” he said. “It was just a matter of putting good shots together.”