The boys golf team competed in two golf tournaments this past Friday and Saturday in Champaign and Chicago, placing first and second at each, respectively.

This past Friday, the Tigers traveled to the Champaign Central Invite at the University of Illinois Orange course. The Tigers had an exciting finish taking the first place title with all of their top four scores breaking 80.

“Anytime you can break 300 is great,” Tigers head coach Dene Schickedanz said.

Placing for the Tigers was the sophomore duo of Tanner White and Benson Tyrell who both shot 77s. Coming in second for the Tigers was senior Cale Ambuehl with a score of 76. “I kept the ball in play and didn’t take any penalties,” Ambuehl said. “I made a lot of pars.”

Rounding out the scores for the Tigers was senior Justin Hemings, who beat a team record by firing in a score of 65 at seven under par to take overall medalists at the invite.

“I hit a lot of fairways and greens and when I hit my green, I was really close,” Hemings said.

Hemings didn’t expect to beat any records and said he didn’t even know what the low score was for the team. The previous record for a low 18 holes score was a 67 which was held by Chris Bryant.

“It was a historic round for Hemings,” Mr. Schickedanz said.

The course was in great shape, according to Hemings, and the boys knew how to match its demands. Also competing for the Tigers was junior, Luke Babington and senior, Jack Kohlmeier.

After taking a first place finish, the boys headed up to their next stop for the weekend in Chicago. The Tigers competed in the Viator Tournament of Champions on the next day.

“This is one of the most strategically challenging courses that we play,” Mr. Schickendanz said.

According to Mr. Schickendanz, there could have been some fatigue that contributed to the slightly higher score because of the back to back tournaments. The Tigers face their toughest competition at this tournament due to the large Chicago teams.

The Tigers took second place at the tournament with two scores of 82 from Babington and Ambuehl, who tied for the fourth spot. In third for the team was Tyrell shooting a 77 and taking second was White who shot a 73. Taking the first place spot once again was senior leader Hemings firing in a one over par of 71.

“I hit 14 greens and 11 fairways but had 33 putts. I couldn’t get my putts to drop. They would either miss high or low,” Hemings said.

Playing in the sixth spot for the Tigers was freshman Zach Trimpe who shot an 86.

Both Hemings and Ambuehl along with Mr. Schickendanz realize how well their younger teammates are playing this year.

“I’m really proud of the younger boys and how they’re shooting,” Hemings said.

“It’s impressing to me the level of maturity that Trimpe has and how low the other boys are shooting,” Ambuehl said. “I don’t ever see Zach get angry or over emotional with any bad shots. I think with age comes emotional maturity, and Zach already is there.”

Hemings said he is happy with how the younger boys are playing and he feels the boys will be winning for years to come.

“It’s always great to be good, but it’s even more special to be young and good,” Mr. Schickendanz said.

The Tigers are back at it with an away match on Sept. 8, at Spencer T. Olin in Alton.