Charging forward: Illini West regains regional crown, beats QND by 14 strokes at Deer Run

HAMILTON, Ill. — The Illini West boys golf team won three consecutive Class 1A regional championships from 2020 to 2022, only to have Quincy Notre Dame throw up a roadblock with a 23-stroke victory last fall.

That made winning Wednesday’s Class 1A Hamilton Regional at Deer Run Golf Course extra satisfying.

“It’s definitely a big deal,” Illini West senior Nick Bruns said. “It’s really nice we got it back this year. Maybe we can start another run.”

Propelled by the play of individual medalist Nolan Murphy and Bruns — they shot 74 and 79 respectively — the Chargers posted a 325 team total to edge the Raiders by 14 strokes. West Hancock finished third with a 358, and all three teams will advance to Monday’s sectional at Quincy’s Spring Lake Country Club.

“Knowing we can still improve a bunch gives us confidence,” Bruns said. “We’re trying to get a sectional title, which I don’t think we’ve done that yet.”

He’s right. The Chargers have not won a sectional crown, finishing second in 2022 to make their first state appearance. Playing a course they are familiar with Monday may help Illini West find its way back to state.

“We have to hit greens,” Murphy said. “With that course, if you miss a lot of greens, it’s hard to get up and down because you have a lot of sliders. You have to make sure you’re staying in the middle and not making big numbers.”

Playing in Quincy gives Notre Dame an inherent advantage, but the Raiders need to bounce back from their worst outing of the season. The 339 team total was 12 strokes higher than any other 18-hole posted score.

QND junior Beau Eftink led the Raiders with a 5-over 77, but no one else shot better than 85 and the Raiders were forced to count a 90 among the top four scores. Still, QND had four scores among the top 17 individuals.

None of them could catch Murphy.

The Illini West freshman was even through 10 holes before making bogey on the par-4 11th. He stuck the green with his tee shot on the par-3 12th and rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt. Another birdie followed on the par-5 13th.

“That’s what really kept the back nine going,” Murphy said.

So did his ability shrug off a three-putt bogey on the par-4 15th. Murphy responded with a par on the par-4 16th that led to him shooting a 38 on the back nine and finishing at 2-over 74.

“I didn’t let the bad holes get overwhelming,” Murphy said. “I didn’t compound the problems.”

Bruns played the first three holes in 4-over and then took a triple bogey on the par-4 11th before making par on the final seven holes to finish his 7-over 79. Illini West freshman Bryson Grotts finished fourth with an 83, and junior Brennan Grotts was 11th with an 89.

“Everyone did their part,” Bruns said. “Everyone shot what they needed to shoot.”

It takes a collective effort to win a championship.

“It’s nice that our team got through,” Murphy said. “We had to play well and perform. All of us had a pretty good day.”

QND’s Olliver Hendrian finished sixth with an 85 and Grant Lepper was eighth with an 87. Keeden Orpet-Hulett and Harper Hough both shot 90.

Brayson Smeltser led West Hancock’s charge as he finished fifth with an 84. Wade Gooding was eighth with an 87, Braden Hurt posted a 93 and Alten Lowman carded a 94.

Seven area golfers were among the 10 individuals who advanced to sectionals, led by Pittsfield sophomore Isaac McGlauchlen with an 87, Liberty senior Luke Schuette and Western senior Alex Peters with 90s, and Liberty sophomore Reed Sparrow, Pittsfield junior Bobby Harris, Mendon Unity junior Logan Lansing and Unity sophomore Jimmy Boccardi all with 92s.