Singhsumalee settles for second at Marist

Updated: October 10, 2011 8:11PM

Neck and neck, Hinsdale Central junior Rosanna Lederhausen and Waubonsie Valley freshman Bing Singhsumalee battled slow play and the absurdly tough greens and pin placements Monday at Old Oak Country Club in Homer Glen.

The Marist AA Sectional medalist would be one of them, and after Singhsumalee’s birdie on No. 17, they were both at even-par.

Singhsumalee’s style is risk averse, but always consistent fairway to green.

Lederhausen is aggressive and it was her approach shot to one foot on the 18th — over water and a frontside bunker — that proved to be the shot that won it for her.

Lederhausen birdied for a 1-under 70 to earn medalist honors and lead the Red Devils downstate as a team with a winning 317.

“I was keeping her score and I knew what she was shooting,” Lederhausen said about Singhsumalee. “I just figured out how to make a birdie on that last hole. It feels great.”

Singhsumalee finished with a 71 after her 15-foot birdie putt stopped six inches short of the hole.

She is the only Warriors’ player to advance to this weekend’s state tournament in Bloomington after managing the speed of the greens which caused many a player to break into tears.

“It’s the worst thing ever,” Singhsumalee said. “It’s bad when it’s a long putt and it goes by, but it’s worse when it’s a short putt and you just miss it and it goes three times farther than the original putt.”

Marian Catholic (334) and Lyons Township (347) were second and third, respectively, to advance to the state tournament.

Metea Valley finished ninth, but senior Natalya Schleebs made it out with a 78, good for a tie for fourth.

“This course, the greens will make or break you,” Schleebs said. “I’m really happy to shoot 78 here. I’d loved to have gone down as a team ... but it’s lovely.”

Waubonsie finished nine strokes back of third place, settling for seventh. Junior Courtney Williams shot 93 for the Warriors and could only watch in disbelief as her uphill putt on No. 15 got within inches of the hole only to trickle back, gain speed and roll past where she had just putted.

“I’m really proud of them. The last two months they’ve lowered their score,” Waubonsie coach John Farnan said. “It’s hard to keep it going. That’s what golf is. You have your good days, and we’ll take this (bad) and use it for next year because everyone will be back next year. Hopefully, we can do a little better next time.”

Yorkville’s Kaity Anderson shot 88, Oswego East’s Nikki Funk shot 101 and West Aurora’s Jordan Lange shot 94. The Blackhawks finished last as a team after a surprise trip out of regionals.

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