Thompson overcomes slow start, Douglas overcomes rough season to lead Raiders to third in regional

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Ross Thompson didn’t let a rocky start to his round bother him.

Zane Douglas didn’t let a rocky start to his season bother him.

The Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team posted a 323 — its best second score of the year — to finish in third place at the Class 2A Rochester Regional, played Wednesday at Lincoln Greens Golf Course in Springfield. Springfield claimed the title with a 303 team score, while Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin shot a 316 to take second.

Springfield’s Peyton Woods shot a 4-under-par 68 to capture first place by two strokes over Jacksonville senior Brady Kauffmann. Springfield’s Jake Baldin was third. 

Thompson had QND’s best round with a 77. He was followed by Cole Willer (80), Zane Douglas (81) and Konnor Craven and Colin Larson, both with 85s. Craven’s score was counted toward QND’s team score. 

“We’re just ecstatic,” Notre Dame coach Brian Hendrian said. “We had to play well, and we did play well.”

Thompson parred the first three holes when he started on the back nine, but he then carded back-to-back bogeys on No. 13 and 14. After a par on No. 15, he double bogeyed No. 16.

“I started off pretty strong. I was going good,” Thompson said. “And then I went bogey bogey, made a par and then a double bogey. At that point, I couldn’t give up. I knew that. I came back on 17 with a par, then birdied 18. Then I went back on the front and shot two over.

“I just had to forget about what happened. There was a lot more golf to play, and I had to play the rest of the round. I started to be more confident with myself. I picked a spot, and I told myself I was going to hit it there — and I hit it there.”

Hendrian said Thompson has been the Raiders’ consistent golfer. 

“Ross is just the leader of the team,” the coach said. “I was glad he was able to rely on his experience.”

Hendrian noted Douglas has been the Raiders’ most unlucky golfer. 

Douglas, a junior, played in only four of QND’s nine tournaments. He missed time with a concussion and strep throat, along with various COVID-19 protocols.

“Zane is really coming around,” Hendrian said. “He’s had all kinds of health issues. That kid’s gone through the gamut. Every time he would come back, the very next thing would be, ‘Coach, I’m no good again.’ He’s struggled for most of the season, and he’s finally getting his feet under him. For him to come in and shoot 81 today was huge. There aren’t many No. 5 players out there today shooting an 81, so that was huge.”

The Raiders advance to Monday’s sectional at Metamora Fields Golf Course in Metamora. Hendrian says his team will need to play even better.

“Usually two of the top three teams at this sectional end up being among the state trophy recipients,” he said. “We’ll probably have to be at 305 or 310 to get to state.”

The experience will be invaluable for a team with no seniors.

“They were all nervous today,” Hendrian said. “One of them was on the first tee, and his hands were still shaking after he hit his first shot. I think we can relax (at the sectional). Anything can happen at Metamora. There’s no doubt about it.”

“I know I can get lower,” Thompson said. “I’ve just got to make sure that if I hit one bad shot, I’ve got to just come back and make the next shot even better. I’ve just got to keep going strong, no matter what happens.”