A year ago, the boys golf team at York reached the sectional but didn’t put their best foot forward once there.

Now the Dukes get their shot at redemption.

Led by a two-over par 73 by Dan Borel, the squad finished in second place at the Class 3A regional they hosted Tuesday at Oak Meadows Golf Course in Addison. York compiled a team score of 305 on the rainy and windy afternoon and was bested by only Hinsdale Central (295). Hinsdale South (315) rounded out the top-three.

The Dukes will now head to Monday’s St. Charles East sectional at St. Andrews in West Chicago.
“It is real exciting,” said Borel, who finished in a tie for second individually. “There are a lot of good teams here and to get out as a team is exciting. Hinsdale Central has some of the best kids in the state and we competed with them today. That is a good sign. Golf is an up-and-down game and any team can have a shot to go to state.

“Last year we had a great regional and to get to the sectional was huge. But we didn’t play too well at the sectional. We shot like a 337 and nobody came close to qualifying. We wanted to repeat that and now hopefully get to state as a team. That was our goal from last year.”

Borel shot a 37 on the front nine Tuesday and then followed it up with a 36 on the back end.

“I am very pleased,” he said. “I kind of struggled all year so it is nice to finally have a very good round. Everything clicked today. It was really fun. It was really satisfying especially because it is one of the biggest meets of the year.

“I’m kind of hoping things go as well (at the sectional) as today. But you can’t bank on anything. You have to go out and play solid golf.”

Jake Wilms, who was a part of the meet’s final group, posted a 74. Jack Gunst was the third Dukes golfer to break 80 after carding a 77.

“I was hitting the ball pretty good all day,” Gunst said. “I just tried to keep it as low as I could. I didn’t make any big mistakes and my short game was good.

“This means a lot. We lost our best player from last year (Andy Wethekam) and to make it back to the sectional is a big accomplishment.”

Matt Boria rounded out the scoring with an 81. Kevin Pankau (87) and Billy Hoff (90) also competed in the regional.

“I am very proud on several fronts,” said York coach Jim Borel. “My son tied for second-place and the team advanced which is great. A 305 is a great score especially in these weather conditions. We have a lot to be proud of today.

“The sectional will be very, very difficult. Hinsdale Central is a top team, Neuqua Valley is a top team and also St. Charles East. I would definitely put us in the top four or six but the problem is only the top two advance.

“It’s been a great year. We’ve trophied in four invitationals which is the most in a long time. The kids work hard at practice to get better. It is a great group of guys and it has been a fun season and it’s nice that it is not over yet.”