
Overcast skies, relentless wind and driving rain are hardly the ideal golf conditions.
Anthony Burdi found a way to buck those conventions Tuesday the Class 3A Streamwood regional tournament at Bartlett Hills Golf Club in Bartlett.
The Bartlett senior carded a 2-over par 73 (35-38) to win the regional title by two strokes.
“I know there are a lot of good players out here that are just as good as me,” Burdi said. “I just played my game. I’m happy with today.”
That goes without saying at Burdi’s title was his first as a high school golfer. So what was the secret to his success? Driver off the tee and short game around the green.
“My driver and my lob wedge were phenomenal,” Burdi said. “I hit the ball in the fairway all day. As long as you keep the ball in the fairway on this course, you’re going to shoot well.
“My irons were leaking right all day, but if I missed the green I chipped up to the hole and tapped in.”
Burdi’s 73 paced the Hawks to a third place finish, punching their ticket to Monday’s St. Charles East sectional at St. Andrews in West Chicago.
Mike Marciniak earned a regional medal with his fourth-place score of 77 (47-40), while Cody Linkenheld also contributed for the Hawks with his 86 (41-45). Ryan Wolfe and Mike Shanahan both carded 87s to contribute for Bartlett, and Ryan Starks wasn’t far off the pace with his 89.
Glenbard North
Ethan Waterman finished fifth at Tuesday’s Class 3A Streamwood regional tournament at Bartlett Hills Golf Club in Bartlett and earned his first trip to the sectional tournament.
But that’s not why the Glenbard North senior will remember his round.
He’ll probably remember it more for the hole-in-one he had on the 155-yard par-3 11th hole, which fueled his round of 78.
“I’ve had a few within six inches, but that was my first hole-in-one,” Waterman said. “I hit a little draw right to left and spun it to the hole.
“I hit it well and when I saw it disappear in the hole, it was cool.”
Waterman may thank his putter for punching his ticket to the next round.
“I putted really well today,” he said. “I didn’t hit the ball real well off the tee other than on 11, but my putter was working.”
He had back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 to put him contention for a sectional berth, and his 78 (39-39), while fifth on the overall leaderboard, was second among sectional qualifying golfers who weren’t part of a sectional team.
Waterman’s 78 was the low score for the Panthers, who finished seventh overall with a score of 338. Fellow senior Kevin Belford also earned a sectional spot with his 80 (41-39).
Andrew Hilgers (89) and Colin Micunas (91) also counted for the Panthers on Tuesday.
Russ Freeman had a strong start before conditions worsened, firing a 42 on the front nine and finishing with a 94. Tyler Berry finished strong with a 47 on his back nine to card a 96 for Glenbard North.
South Elgin
A pair of scores in the 70s was the key to success for the Storm at Tuesday’s Class 3A Streamwood regional tournament at Bartlett Hills Golf Club in Bartlett.
With a team score of 321, the Storm finished second overall and earned a team berth to Monday’s St. Charles East sectional at St. Andrews in West Chicago.
Xavier Owens led the charge with a 78 (36-42) with Ryan Pondel not far behind with a 79 (40-39). Jack Reagan and Nick Schweisthal had identical rounds with 41s on both nines for final scores of 82.
Drew Buddle’s 84 and John Kuzelka’s 90 didn’t count for the Storm but were strong scores in tough conditions.
St. Charles East sectional
WHEN 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12
WHERE St. Andrews, 2241 Rt. 59, West Chicago
INFO Visit IHSA.org for more information
Streamwood regional team scores
1. St. Charles East 306
2. South Elgin 321
3. Bartlett 323
7. Glenbard North 338


