Hinsdale Central girls qualify team for 10th straight year
CREST HILL – Lauren Beaudreau coolly navigated gusting winds, and rain-soaked fairways on an unseasonably warm Monday.
"No roll. The drives were just sticking right in the ground, all carry in the air," said the Benet senior. "It didn't really affect me."
Nothing seems to.
Beaudreau, a Notre Dame recruit, remained full steam ahead toward her ultimate goal. She shot a bogey-free 4-under par 68 for a four-stroke win at the Class 2A Hinsdale South Sectional at Pine Bluff.
"I'm really pleased," said Beaudreau, who had 14 pars and four birdies. "I had a lot of looks at birdie. I didn't putt all that well."
Next stop is the state tournament, which starts Friday at Hickory Point Golf Club in Decatur. Beaudreau was second there as a sophomore, coincidentally behind the sectional runner-up, Grace Curran of team champ Lincoln-Way Central.
Curran, and Lincoln-Way Central's Brianna Bolden, are the only golfers to beat Beaudreau in a tournament this year, at the Rosary Invitational the weekend before regionals.
"Grace and Bri are both really good players. Every time I go out there it's good competition with them," Beaudreau said. "I know going into state they'll be two of my big competitors. Today was a state preview, I guess."
Not that Beaudreau was thinking ahead.
She's had a state title in her sights since deciding to return to high school golf this fall, but has maintained a steely focus on the present.
"I still had to get the job done today," Beaudreau said. "I'm really happy with my ball-striking going into state. I only missed three greens. If I continue to hit as many greens I think I have a good shot."
The top three teams, and top 10 individuals from non-qualifying events advanced. Hinsdale Central shot 315, beating Benet by five strokes to join Lincoln-Way Central (308) and Naperville North (312).
It's the 10th straight trip for Hinsdale, third in the state the last two years after winning titles in 2014 and 2015.
"It's a big relief for me," said Hinsdale senior Grace Owens, who shot her team's low score of 75. "We had a new team, a lot of girls with less experience. I definitely knew we had to go pretty low, lower than we have this season for the most part."
Owens is one of just three girls returning from last year's Hinsdale state lineup.
A latecomer to golf, Owens played with the JV team as a freshman, and alternated between JV and varsity as a sophomore.
"The girls before me really taught me a lot," Owens said. "I'm proud to continue our legacy."
BOYS GOLF
Hinsdale Central remained on schedule for history. The Red Devils shot a team score of 290 for a 20-shot victory at the Class 3A South Elgin Sectional. Hinsdale Central this weekend will go for its seventh straight state title, which would match Normal U-High's record run in 2003-2009.
Mac McClear shot a 71 to lead five Hinsdale golfers in the 70s. Downers Grove North's Aidan Lafferty shot a 68 for a three-stroke win at Bartlett Hills.