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Duo from Sandburg, Crusaders' McGrail qualify
Updated: October 10, 2011 9:04PM
Brother Rice’s Dan McGrail and Sandburg’s Tom Thanasouras and Luke Ostrom — the three Southlanders to qualify for Friday’s and Saturday’s Class 3A state golf tournament out of Monday’s Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional — all left Balmoral Woods in Crete with a good story to tell.
For McGrail, it was a story of redemption. In 2010 at sectionals, he fell short in a playoff for the final qualifying spot. Monday, his 8-over 80, which included a front-nine 42 and a 38 on the back, was good enough to comfortably advance.
“Last year wasn’t necessarily a disappointment,” he said. “I learned from it. I wanted to get it done today.”
McGrail, who finished tied for 10th overall and was third among 10 individual qualifiers, made big par putts on his final three holes.
Thanasouras, meanwhile, wasn’t even on the Eagles’ original roster for the sectional. But after a teammate struggled at regionals, he got the call to be the team’s sixth golfer and delivered. His 82 was one shot good enough to keep him out of the playoff for the final qualifying spots.
“I was able to get up and down, and that was a big factor,” he said. “I made birdies on 17 and six. I’m glad I get to go to state with a teammate.”
Ostrom’s 83 put him in a six-man playoff for the final three qualifying spots.
Things were settled on the par-5 first hole as he, Young’s Omari Whitmore and Maine West’s Tom Kukec made pars while three others, including Marist’s Jeff Borza, fell short.
Ostrom was on the green in three and knew a two-putt would be good enough.
“There was a lot of pressure, but I hit a couple of good shots,” he said. “My putting was amazing today. I’m very excited for my first trip to state.”
Advancing teams were New Trier (301), Loyola (315) and Oak Park-River Forest (327). Sandburg (349) was the top local squad, taking seventh.
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