Lemont continues big run

Eric Gruber and Will Knights began playing golf together at age 4.

It’s fitting, then, that both are going to the IHSA’s Class 2A championship weekend.

Gruber, scoring 5-over-par 77 at Broken Arrow Golf Club in Lockport, led Lemont to its fifth straight team berth in the 36-hole final, while Knights’ 78 earned him one of the 10 sectional spots reserved for individuals.

Gruber is a veteran of playing Illinois State’s D.A. Weibring Course in October. Knights, a senior for Lincoln-Way West, has seen it only in the summer.

“It’s a relief after the past two years of struggling,” Knights said. “I missed it by one stroke a couple of years ago.”

That misadventure came on the same South-North combination employed for this year’s sectional. Knights was able to keep the mental demons away.

“I made a bogey on the fourth hole and had a seven-footer for par on the fifth and made that coming back,” Knights said. “I birdied after that. Just getting through my first nine, I knew after that I’d be better.

“Coming down to those last nine holes, I just wanted to keep it steady.”

He did, finishing in 2-over 38 to lock in a spot, making him one of two Warriors to advance to the finals. He’ll be joined by Andrew O’Keefe, whose 9-over 81 made the grade.

Gruber will have all his teammates with him — and a shot at the team championship.

“That would be the best thing in the world,” Gruber said. “That’s all I’m trying to do, just win state. Top three (trophy positions) is pretty much the main goal, but winning is what we want to do.”

The Indians’ total of 27-over-par 315 beat the Latin School by three strokes. Nazareth Academy (323) took third. Fenton freshman Sabastian Dobon scored 1-over 73 to capture the individual medal.

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