Raiders rebound with solid effort, Chargers’ Murphy finishes in top 15 at state golf tourney

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Brian Hendrian has come to learn one bad day for the Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team rarely if ever devolves into two.

That’s why the QND coach believed the Raiders could erase a 12-stroke deficit and play themselves into contention for a top-three finish on the second day of the Class 1A state tournament at Prairie Vista Golf Course.

“They always have that bounce back,” Hendrian said. “We talk about that a lot. You can lose it, but you can’t win it on the first day. We came out and played our game and have ourselves a chance.”

By the time all six of the Raiders had made the turn, they were within four shots of third place after opening the day in sixth place. The charge stalled and the Raiders posted a 312 team total, finishing with a 36-hole 636 total.

Effingham St. Anthony won the Class 1A state championship with a 612, followed by Fulton at 619 and Port Byron Riverdale at 621. Illini West finished seventh at 643.

“We just knew we had to bring our good stuff today,” said QND junior Beau Eftink, who shot a 1-under 71 and finished as the state runner-up individually at 1-over 145. “We really didn’t have it yesterday. Today was our final day, so we had to leave everything out there.”

Eftink led the charge, but the rest of the lineup contributed. Olliver Hendrian shot a 4-over 76 and finished tied for 25th at 158. QND freshman Keeden Orpet-Hulett shot a 9-over 81 and finished at 173. Sophomore Harper Hough shot an 84 and sophomore Grant Lepper an 85 as they finished at 168 and 169 respectively. Aiden Tangy finished at 185.

All six golfers are expected to return next season.

“With another year of maturing physically and probably more importantly, mentally, I like our chances for next year,” Hendrian said.

Illini West should be in the mix again as well.

Chargers freshman Nolan Murphy finished 13th individually, carding a 1-over 73 in the second round to finish at 7-over 151. Senior Nick Bruns rebounded to shoot a 4-over 76 and finish at 159, while junior Wesley Robertson posted a 163. Illini West freshman Bryson Grotts shot a 170, junior Brennan Grotts a 178 and freshman Bryton Gavillet a 186.

Pittsfield sophomore Isaac McGlauchlen finished 47 with a 164.

At the Class 3A state tournament at The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course, Quincy High School sophomore Ty Novosel shot an 8-over 80 and finished tied for 43rd with a 157 total.