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Pair of payoffs for LaPorte, Boone Grove
Updated: June 10, 2011 10:15PM
LAPORTE — It’s true, patience is a virtue. And everyone knows the clichéd idea about good things coming to those who wait.
So, in keeping with the philosophy of delayed gratification, Friday afternoon was compelling for two leaders that have spent at least a decade coaching golf.
Bill Hart has been the LaPorte boys coach for the past 10 seasons. But even during that time frame, the Slicers hadn’t been able to break out of their drought of regional titles. Then, with a dynamic 299 total, the hosts took advantage of Beechwood Golf Course and notched the school’s first crown in nearly 20 years.
The fulfillment didn’t stop with Hart. One of his contemporaries also gained serious ground.
Led by 11-year coach Gary King, Boone Grove’s 315 was seven strokes behind Valparaiso’s second-place total of 308. Even though they’ve won five straight sectionals, a third-place finish marks a first team trip to state.
Crown Point senior Nick Grubnich was the top player to advance without a team. Fittingly his 69, which included no bogeys, was also good enough for a second straight regional medalist honor.
Rensselaer’s Bo Culp (72) is also advancing.
“I hit it very good … my misses were in play, overall very solid play,” Grubnich said.
On paper, LaPorte has had an illustrious history in the regional. The Slicers entered in fourth on the all-time list (with seven titles before Friday) and are one of five schools to have a three-peat (from 1967-69). However, since their back-to-back wins from 1991-92, they hadn’t won. In fact, LaPorte failed to make it out of the regional by one stroke a year ago.
Those issues were quelled as LaPorte came around the turn. The Slicers shot a 154 on the front side. They narrowly led Valparaiso (156 front), Crown Point (159 front), Mishawaka Marian (159) and the Wolves (161). And on the back, things got even better, as they shaved nine strokes. Jordan Lenard and Joel Collins shot their personal bests for 18-hole play this season with a 2-under-par 70 and 71.
“Right now, everyone is at a loss for words,” Lenard said. “How bad we beat the field by, it’s mind-blowing.”
Also surprising was Boone’s resurgence on the back. King was misty-eyed when he spoke of the Wolve’s improvement of seven strokes (including senior Rick Gayda’s 35-back score, after shooting a 44 front).
“All the hard work and effort that you put in, you always wonder if it’ll pay off,” King said. “And it finally paid off for us.”
Added Gayda: “We didn’t want to short ourselves, like we did last year (finishing sixth).”
The regional is just one of LaPorte’s goals, next up is making it to Day 2 of state (which begins on Tuesday).
“(It’s) satisfying, (a) step-mark to a great year,” said Hart.
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