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Lemont revels in conference reign
For Lemont’s boys golf team, winning the South Suburban Blue Tournament has become business as usual. Monday’s win, though, wasn’t so routine.
The Indians survived rough conditions to win the conference crown for the sixth time in the six-year history of the league, compiling a team score of 312 to outlast Bremen (339) and five other rivals.
Lemont junior Joe Paloian captured the individual crown, firing a 3-over 75 to top teammates Eric Gruber (77) and Brian McMahon (79).
Paloian was the conference frosh-soph champ a year ago.
“Playing under these tough conditions and shooting a 75 is pretty impressive,” Paloian said. “Starting off in the pouring rain, I wasn’t playing for any birdies or anything. Eventually, it dried down and I made some shots.”
Paloian fired a 38 on the nine-hole East Course and a 37 on the nine-hole South Course.
“On the second hole of the South Course it started to dry off and I finally got some drive,” he said. “I nailed my drive and ended up with a birdie three. A 75 here gives me a lot of confidence.”
Paloian led a strong performance by the lower part of the Indians’ lineup.
“We’ve always been about consistency and depth,” Lemont coach Mark Hollatz said. “It was nice to see that from the bottom of our lineup. There were horrible conditions for the first six (holes) today, but, in a way, I’m glad. It helps them prepare for what could come in the next weeks at regionals and sectionals.”
The Indians’ Shane Purtle, last year’s conference champion, rebounded from a 46 on his front nine with a 35 on the back end and finished sixth.
Tim McDowell (80) was fourth and Christian Barrera (81) fifth to lead Bremen.
“I’m really happy,” McDowell said. “Everything went perfectly for me. My putting was really on today and that was the biggest thing. Our team improved a lot from last year (a sixth-place finish) so we’re happy.”
T.F. North’s Dennis Minefee (83) finished seventh followed by Oak Forest’s Josh Napoli (84), T.F. South’s Justin Pasko (85) and Lemont’s Ray Cepele (85).
In the team standings, Oak Forest (345) was third, followed by T.F. South (353), Tinley Park (378), Hillcrest (396) and T.F. North (440).
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