A Promising Start Unravels on the Back Nine
The Edwardsville high school boys golf team entered the final stretch of the Class 3A state tournament within striking distance of the championship trophy, only to see their title hopes slip away on October 10 at The Den at Fox Creek Golf Club in Bloomington. According to The Intelligencer, the Tigers finished in sixth place with a total two-round score of 604, a result that left both players and coaching staff grappling with mixed emotions after holding second place following the opening round.
Evanston claimed the state title with a stellar 581, followed by Hersey in second at 591 and New Trier in third at 592. Edwardsville had positioned itself firmly in contention after carding an impressive 293 in the first round, keeping within single digits of the lead before making the turn in the second round. However, the momentum dissolved as the team shot 15-over on the back nine, completely falling out of the title race after managing an 8-over on the front nine to finish the day with a 311.
Individual Highlights and Historic Context
Despite the disappointing finish, the tournament featured standout individual performances. Brian Cooper delivered a brilliant second-round score of 3-under 69, which tied for third-best on the day among the 96 golfers in the field. In the opening round, Michael Shaw, Bennett Briggs, and Henry Willenborg each shot a 1-over 73, complemented by a 2-over 74 from Luke Maxim. Cooper and Briggs both finished with two-round totals of 152 to tie for 30th overall, while Willenborg placed 44th with 155, and Shaw took 51st with 156.
Reflecting on the broader significance of the performance, head coach Adam Tyler noted that finishing sixth represents the program’s best state finish since 2016, when they also took sixth place. The team’s score of 604 is also the second-lowest two-round total in Edwardsville program history at the state tournament, trailing only the 2008 squad that shot 599 on the way to a third-place finish. Hinsdale Central’s Michael Jorski won the individual title with an 8-under 136, while Evanston’s Lester Low finished second at 7-under 137.
Looking Ahead to Next Season
The sixth-place finish leaves the Tigers eager for another opportunity, particularly because all six varsity golfers are eligible to return for next season. Tyler emphasized that while retaining the entire state tournament roster is a positive sign, it does not guarantee a smooth path back to Bloomington. He pointed out that regional, conference, and sectional titles earlier in the season established a strong foundation, making the state appearance a major milestone even if the finish stinged.
“You always want to take advantage of the opportunity while you’re here because you never know what may happen,” Tyler told The Intelligencer. “A lot can happen over the course of a year, so you want to take advantage while you’re here.” The team plans to spend the coming weeks reflecting on their accomplishments, including regional and conference championships, before shifting focus toward next year’s campaign.