Chesterton fights off LaPorte

CHESTERTON -- Each team had four golfers in the clubhouse, and Chesterton and LaPorte were deadlocked as darkness descended on Sand Creek Country Club. Unfortunately for the Slicers, who were threatening the Trojans' perfect season, Ryan Grassel was still on the course.

Sectional play begins this weekend, but the Chesterton junior is already in postseason form. Per usual.

"This happens every year. I start playing better toward the second half (of the season)," said Grassel, who fired an even-par 72 to help Chesterton edge LaPorte, 314-320, at the Duneland Conference meet Tuesday.

Playing in one of the last groups, Grassel didn't let the darkening skies distract him on his home course. While he didn't hit the ball particularly well off the tee, he kept all his drives in play.

"I've hit it better and not scored as well," he said. "Today I scored pretty well because I kept it out of trouble and my short game was very good."

Consistency was the name of game for Grassel, who needed only two birdies to break even because he only had two bogeys.

"For me that's absolutely amazing," Grassel said of his two bogeys. "At Palmyra, I had four birdies and shot 77."

Grassel and teammate Pat Herrod (79) were two of just five players to score in the 70s.

"When Pat came in with that 79, I was very impressed," Chesterton coach John Sparks said. "He has come around and played great. And what can you say about Ryan? He's the kind of guy that really comes on strong in the postseason. I'm really proud of him and really impressed with what he did today."

Slicers coach Bill Hart was just as pleased with his team's effort against one of the state's top teams. LaPorte junior Kyle Bowden shot a 74, equaling his best score of the year, and senior teammate Tony Nastase fired a 78, a personal-best at Sand Creek.

"Chesterton is clearly the premier team in Northern Indiana," Hart said. "They've proven it in the Duneland, and they've proven it elsewhere. I'm extremely pleased with our performance. (At sectionals), we need to play as well as we did tonight, if not better. We want to advance, but our goal is to win it."

Chesterton (17-0) enters the postseason with lofty expectations. And rightfully so. With all five guys back from a group that took eighth at state a year ago, the Trojans are as experienced as any team in the tournament.

"We're in a good position," Sparks said. "We have five guys who have interchanged as team medalists this season. These guys are dealing with a bad shot or a bad hole better than last year."

Contact David Robb at 648-3122, drobb@post-trib.com or visit his blog at blogs.post-trib.com/robb