News

Golf sends Luebbert, Doherty to State

The Statebills took on CBC in their final golf match of the season on Monday. For the seniors, it would be their last high school match ever. On a windy day at Glen Echo, the Jr. Bills played decently but couldn’t match CBC. The low round was a two-under 34 from CBC player Tim Cochran, who had a really good round. Overall, the GolfBills’ final record for the season was 5-4-2.

On Wednesday, the Golfbills took on nine other teams in their district qualifying round for State at Algonquin Golf Club. First off for the Jr. Bills was freshman Alex Key. After four holes, Key was three over, and then the rain and thunder came. After a 90-minute rain delay, Key got sick but still played out the rest of his round. He shot a 90 and is expected to be a team leader next year.

Teeing off second was Evan Boff, who played solidly all day and shot an important 87 for the team. Although he failed to qualify, he still felt good about his round.

Next up was junior Steve Klostermeyer, who hit the ball straight all day and shot an eleven-over 82 on a very tough and very wet course. Klostermeyer will also be a leader next year.

The final two golfers for SLUH were Mike Doherty and Alex Luebbert. Both golfers came into the tournament very confident
in how they were playing. Doherty had an up-and-down round, with a triple and a double mixed in with an important
birdie on seventeen. Luebbert’s round was much more consistent, and he never threatened the cut line until the end of his round. Both golfers shot a nine-over 80, qualifying for State. They are the first state qualifiers from SLUH in five years.

Overall, because of the wet conditions, most teams struggled and several big name players choked under the pressure. However, the rain had no effect on the SLUH golfers. They took second overall in the toughest district in the state, shooting a 239, only losing
to Parkway South by seven strokes. Even more importantly, the Golfbills defeated all of the MCC schools, sent more golfers to State than each of them, and took the MCC crown for the first time in several years. DeSmet came in third with a 240, followed by Chaminade with a 245.

“Finally our team gets some respect. Usually our team scores are laughable but today we finally proved ourselves.
State!�? Luebbert said after the round.

“We would have liked to send the whole team to Springfield, but under the new rules only one team from each district goes. Still, I am pleased with our performance and hope to do well at State,�? said coach Greg Bantle on his team’s performance at districts.

The state tournament will be held May 15 and 16 in Springfield, Mo., at Deer Lake Golf Course. Luebbert and Doherty hope to make the top ten, but getting to State was their original goal. Overall, the Tigerbills capped off an impressive year with a winning record and a second place finish at districts.