Marmion punches ticket to state

Updated: October 10, 2011 7:52PM

Pressure is something Matt Fazio of Marmion eats for breakfast.

It’s hard enough competing against some of the best golfers in the area, but Fazio faced a much greater challenge when he underwent two cancer-related surgeries in early August.

There he was on Monday in the Wheaton Academy Class 2A Sectional at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles in a two-way playoff against senior Sterling golfer Patrick Petrosky, battling for first place after both golfers shot a 1-under 71 for the day.

Though he would roll a putt just right of the hole — with over 40 onlookers watching the action — and concede top prize to Petrosky, he had already won. And so had his team.

Fazio, who parred his last three holes, and his Cadets teammates earned the right to compete for the state championship this weekend at Weibring Golf Course in Normal.

Fazio, who returns for his second straight year at state, realizes the mercurial weather conditions at Weibring can make for a rough tournament.

“Last year was brutal. It was like 40 (degrees) as a high and there were 30 mph winds all day,” Fazio said.

Regardless of the conditions of the course, Fazio feels like his team can go into play confidently.

“I feel like we have been the underdogs all season and we don’t have anything to prove to anyone because we made it,” he said.

Coming off a regional title at The Highlands of Elgin last week, Marmion had a stellar day (311) to join Sterling (306) and Vernon Hills (311) in qualifying for state. Marmion was declared the second-place finisher Monday as their fifth highest scorer beat out Vernon Hills’ fifth scorer.

Marmion also had strong showings from sophomore Joe Fritz (78), Marshall Kanute (80) and Zach Woytych (82). Marmion hasn’t been to state as a team since the 80s when Kanute’s father played for the Cadets.

“We have a bunch of great kids. They all work well together and have a lot of character,” Marmion coach Doug Roberts said.

Of his team’s next challenge in possible inclement weather, Roberts pointed to a quote from pro golfer Rickie Fowler as motivation: “If it (the weather) is going to be brutal out there, I am just going to embrace it and have fun.”

Sandwich’s Lucas Burkett fired a 73 to advance to state individually. The senior started off slow with five bogeys over his first seven holes before recovering to shoot 4-under the rest of the way.

The Indians were 10th as a team with a score of 331.

Jon Henricks of IMSA shot an 80 and Kaneland’s Matt Yonkovich shot an 82. Neither player advanced.

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