Watson’s strong finish helps Macomb boys golf team secure regional championship

MACOMB, Ill. — The electronic scoring system the Illinois High School Association uses for postseason golf puts the leaderboard at everyone’s fingertips.

That makes it tempting to peek at where the field stands.

“When you have to put the scores in on your phone, it’s hard to stay away and not hit the leaderboard button,” Macomb’s Connor Watson said. “So on the back nine, I did catch myself checking it a few times.”

After the 11th hole during Wednesday’s Class 2A Macomb Regional at Macomb Country Club, Watson checked it and thought something was amiss.

It showed two players tied for the lead at 1-under. Both were named Connor Watson.

“I thought it was glitching or something,” the Macomb senior said. “I told my dad about it, and he was like, ‘No, that’s for real.’ I was kind of shocked by it.”

Connor Watson, the sophomore from East Peoria, was pushing the Bombers’ three-sport standout for individual medalist honors. However, the older Watson birdied the 14th and 15th holes, sending him to a round of 2-under 69 and helping propel the Bombers to the team title.

Macomb shot a 315 to beat Washington and Peoria Notre Dame by 10 strokes. All three advance to Monday’s Class 2A Bartonville Limestone Sectional at Coyote Creek Golf Course.

“We were really excited,” Watson said of winning the regional title. “We knew we would definitely have to play well to win. Going into it, we just wanted to finish in the top three and make it to sectionals. But we knew if we played well we had a shot to win it.”

Hunter Wilson posted a 76 for the Bombers, while Justice Keene carded an 82 and Brady Scalf shot an 88.

“I think we stayed mentally focused,” Watson said. “We all had a few rough holes, but we didn’t let it snowball into bigger numbers.”

After opening with a bogey on the first hole, Watson rallied with birdies on the par-4 fifth and the par-3 seventh to make the turn at 1-under. A bogey on the par-4 12th knocked him back, but he finished with a flourish.

“I definitely putted really well today,” Watson said. “I had some big par saves that kept the score low.”