Six area players advance to sectionals

Northside Prep's Eli Tullis blasts out of the sand.
(Joel Lerner/Staff Photographer)

October 12, 2007 By ROB VALENTIN | Sports Editor

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After coming up empty at the Public League championship, Walter Payton's Giancarlo Molinaro was looking to post a low number in the Class AA Nazareth Regional at the Links of Carillon.

Molinaro didn't earn medalist honors but he did take home third place shooting a 78 on a pretty tough course.

"Regionals was a good day," Molinaro said. "They put me in the first group so there was no waiting. I qualified out of regionals last year and I figured it should definitely be in my ability to reach sectionals."

Not finishing in the top five at city was frustrating.

"I really wanted city," Molinaro added. "I was cruising and then I made a couple of bad putts. My putting was really off. In order to make up for the city debacle I wanted to do well at regionals."

Even though a regional title would have been nice, the only real accomplishment that matters is advancing to sectionals and then state.

"(Making state) has been my goal throughout my high school career," he said. "Not only do I want to make it but I want to have a good run at state. My hope is this is the year"

Sectionals were held at Broken Arrow Golf Course in Lemont early this week, and it's not a course he's very familiar with.

"We'll go out (last) weekend and play a couple rounds," said Molinaro, who also plays basketball and baseball at Payton. "(Not playing there before) is definitely a factor. Most of the teams probably play there a lot. But once I play once I'll be good. If you keep the ball on the fairways you should be fine. A 78 will be pushing it but a 76 or a 75 should get you to state."

Molinaro will have some company at sectionals after teammate Dominic Scarpulla made the sectional cut with a 95.

CLASS AAA

Lane Tech and Northside Prep couldn't advance to sectionals as a team but they will be represented by some individuals.

Competing in the Niles West Regional at Sportsman's Country Club, the Mustangs' Eli Tullis was the low man from the area shooting a 76. Eric Nelson also advanced for Northside after carding a 77.

Lane Tech will send two golfers to sectionals after Andrew Hobaugh and Adam Seablom just made the cut with 81's.

All four individuals will compete in the Hersey Sectional at Old Orchard Country Club in Mount Prospect.