Lyons, Hinsdale South new champions in West Suburban

Updated: September 27, 2011 7:10PM

The Downers South and Hinsdale Central strangleholds are no longer in place in the two West Suburban boys golf divisions.

The schools’ combined 13-year run came to a halt at Willow Crest Golf Club in Oak Brook on Tuesday afternoon as Hinsdale South and Lyons captured the Gold and Silver divisions, respectively.

Lyons’ fifth consecutive 18-hole tournament title was secured when Jack Ferguson posted a 76 on the par-70 layout for the Lions’ fifth-card tiebreaker.

Lyons and Hinsdale Central, the five-time defending champion, ended regulation deadlocked at 294.

Trevor Jay could only muster an 80 for the Red Devils’ fifth card.

Oak Park-River Forest, which crowned the individual champion in Joe McKune with a level-par 70 effort, was three shots off the Lyons and Hinsdale Central pace to place third.

“I told the guys before the day that this was the start of the championship season,” Lyons coach Brian Kopecky said of the critical three-week run of conference tournaments and the looming state series.

The Lions’ depth was the difference; the squad had all six players shoot 77 or better at waterlogged Willow Crest.

“It’s a good feeling to know that if you have a bad day that you still have five other guys who can shoot 75 or better,” said Lyons junior standout Charlie Netzel, who along with senior Kevin Carlson anchored the Lions’ attack with matching 72s. “That’s been our goal all year--other than make it to state--to beat Hinsdale. Their goal was to beat us.”

Harry Boling, the defending individual champion, had a runner-up 71 to lead Hinsdale Central.

McKune overcame the challenging conditions to win individual-medalist honors.

“I was able to par the first three holes in the rain,” McKune said. “It was helpful to get on the right path early on.”

In the Gold Division, Hinsdale South and Downers South were in a league of their own.

But with Hinsdale South senior Chris Kopp defending his individual crown with a 71, the Hornets ended the Mustangs’ eight-year championship run 309-316.

Kopp had a bogey-bogey start, only to rally with three outward-nine birdies to flavor his medalist run.

“The comeback after my start is what I’m most pleased with,” said Kopp.

The Hornets’ title was also greatly aided by sixth-man Matt Reschke firing a 78.

“We just couldn’t get a third and fourth score,” Downers South coach Jay Baum said. “If you don’t get four scores in the 70s, you don’t deserve to win. That’s the way it is nowadays in high school golf.”

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.