Elletts play through
POPLAR GROVE – Richmond-Burton senior Bree Roberts nervously watched as the final groups’ scores were posted at the IHSA Class AA Belvidere North Regional.
Roberts shot a 101 in her threesome, which was among the earlier groups finishing. That just prolonged the agony as Timber Pointe professional Randy Schairer wrote down each score.
Roberts, sitting next to Rockets coach Brandon Creason, figured she was close. She looked for the second number in each score and when it was higher than hers, she would sigh, “OK. OK.”
“[Waiting] is horrible,” she said.
But it was worth it for Roberts and Hampshire senior Tina Tuminaro. When the final group was recorded, they smiled, knowing they each will play at least one more round of high school golf. Roberts and Tuminaro, who shot 102, were among the individual qualifiers Wednesday who will move on to Monday’s Guilford Sectional at Ingersoll in Rockford.
Hampshire’s Connie and Taylor Ellett endured the drama, not individually, but for their team. The sisters shot 85s to lead the Whip-Purs, who came up three strokes short of one of the three team berths. Boylan (360), Belvidere North (371) and Hononegah (384) took the top spots. Hampshire finished with 386.
“It was motivation for all of us to make it to sectional as a team,” said Tuminaro, who tied for the final qualifying spot. “I knew I had to keep going when I was out there. I’m definitely disappointed for my team not making it, but personally I’m very happy with how I played.”
Only Kaneland’s Hayley Guyton, with a 6-over-par 78, shot lower than 85 for the day.
Guyton, whose father, John, is the head professional at the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, had nine consecutive pars at one point in her winning round.
“I stayed pretty consistent,” said Guyton, who competed as an individual and was the Knights’ No. 1 player on the boys team this season. “My swing was very consistent. The course was very wet, and the wind definitely was a factor. That and being cold and uncomfortable.”
Roberts and Tuminaro both battled the elements well. Roberts shot 110 last week in the Big Northern Conference Tournament at the same course; Tuminaro shot 109 that day.
“I’m happier about doing better,” Roberts said. “I fixed my drive, it had been a little iffy, so I made it straight. I did all right [today]. I would just look on to the next shot every single time.”
Roberts said a trip to the driving range Tuesday helped repair her driving ills.
“I’m very pleased with that score,” Tuminaro said. “I knew my short game was going to have to be on [with the tough weather conditions].”
Connie Ellett shot 78 to win the BNC Tournament last week and Taylor Ellett finished third.
“It was pretty cold and windy out there, which brings everybody’s score up,” Connie said. “You have to take more club and adjust to the conditions. You can’t complain about it because everybody has to play in it as well.”