Boys golf finishes out year

Varsity squad wraps up season strongly

Drew Cushing, Reporter

After finishing first in the IHSA Regionals and third in Sectionals behind York and Hinsdale Central, the boys varsity golf team finished the season with a seventh place finish at the IHSA State meet on Oct. 17-18. At the meet, the team overall had a score of 623, and Hudson was the team’s top individual, placing fourth overall with a score of 148.

“This year has been a rollercoaster. We’ve played really well, but haven’t been as consistent as we could be,” Head Coach Brian Kopecky said.

The team had done well this season, placing second at the West Suburban Silver Conference meet and proving that it was in the hunt for state by also placing second or third in most of its tournaments along with a first place finish at the LT invite at the LaGrange Country Club on Sept. 27.

“We’ve been doing well, but the bear hasn’t caught the buckwheat yet and we have to get it done,” Michael Caplice ‘15 said.

Caplice is one of four seniors who played in LT’s top six at conference, along with Jon Hudson ‘15, Matt Walsh ‘15 and Bill Spartz ‘15. Other players in the top six at conference include Jason Miller ‘16 and Patrick Akaniroj ‘18.

“Everyone on the team works hard; they’re focused. They know, and I know, they’re capable of being good and have the capability to get it done,” Kopecky said.

With five returning golfers who played varsity last year, the leaders and seniors of the team helped contribute to team morale and also allow the golfers to have good team chemistry.

“They teach the younger and more inexperienced players different types of shots and how to play the golf course better,” Caplice said. “It all starts with our captain, Jon Hudson, the team feeds off his energy.”

According to Kopecky, Hudson had the lowest stroke average per round on the team and is one of the team’s top two players, along with Walsh.

Hudson finished first at both the Regional and Sectional meets and is committed to play golf in college at Iowa State. Hudson’s older brother, Dan Hudson ‘14, plays golf at Kansas University.

“I chose Iowa State because of the coach and facilities they have to practice at,” Jon said. “They are also ranked inside the Top 25 in the country, and I will get to compete against my brother in the Big 12 championship.”